Detailed imaging of brain damage from blood vessel–related dementia (VCID)

Multi-scale and multi-modality imaging of neuropathology in VCID

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11168996

This project develops better post-mortem brain imaging and tissue testing to learn how blood vessel problems cause memory loss and dementia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11168996 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient perspective, researchers are creating new ways to scan donated human brains after death and link those scans to very detailed tissue and protein tests so small vascular and nerve damage can be seen. They will standardize how brains are collected, fixed, cut, and imaged, study how time after death and fixation affect images, and build computer tools to combine MRI, microscope images, and proteomics. The work focuses on gray and white matter changes tied to vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) using human autopsy brains. Results aim to give clearer maps of the brain damage that underlies memory loss from blood vessel problems.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular contributions to cognitive impairment (VCID), or age-related memory decline who are willing to donate brain tissue after death are the ideal candidates for contributing to this work.

Not a fit: People without cognitive impairment or whose condition is unrelated to vascular brain changes may not directly benefit from this specific project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce clearer markers and research targets to improve diagnosis and treatments for VCID and related dementias.

How similar studies have performed: Post-mortem MRI and histology have been useful before, but combining multi-scale MRI, histopathology, and proteomics specifically for VCID is still largely new.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.