Circadian control of brain blood vessels in Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Circadian rhythm regulation of brain vasculature
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11450536 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at Emory is studying how daily biological rhythms influence the brain’s blood vessels to improve brain drug delivery in Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $457,272 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146234-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450536 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia who may benefit from improved brain-targeted therapies, as well as healthy volunteers for foundational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurological disease or those not involved in brain vascular studies may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how circadian rhythms affect the brain’s blood-brain barrier and its surrounding blood vessels, which may impact treatments for Alzheimer’s dementia. Using a multicellular model that includes pericytes and brain endothelial cells, the team will explore how interactions between these cells influence clock proteins and Cav1, a protein involved in moving signals and materials in and out of cells. The researchers will test whether pericyte contact strengthens endothelial circadian rhythms by suppressing Cav1, and they will map how Cav1 affects the brain’s vascular clock. Findings could point to timing-based strategies to improve drug delivery to the brain in Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to timing-based approaches to enhance brain drug delivery and potency for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Early data suggest circadian rhythms influence brain vessel function, but more work is needed to translate these insights to therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Shirley — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Shirley
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.