Glymphatic Waste Clearance in Aging Brain and its Link to Alzheimer’s Disease
Official title: Neurovascular Coupling and Waste Clearance in Aging Brain
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11449391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study will explore how the brain’s waste-clearing system works in aging people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and what lifestyle changes like exercise might do to help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,153,437 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG094791-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who are able to participate in imaging studies and exercise protocols.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who cannot participate in MRI studies or exercise interventions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how aging affects the brain’s glymphatic system, which helps clear waste from around brain cells. Researchers will examine the connection between brain activity, blood flow, and CSF movement to understand how waste clearance changes with age. They plan to use imaging and other methods to study the impact of aerobic exercise on glymphatic function and neurovascular coupling in older adults. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to safer strategies to protect brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide lifestyle and intervention strategies to support brain waste clearance and potentially slow progression of Alzheimer-related changes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests glymphatic function and neurovascular coupling relate to brain waste clearance, but age-related changes are not fully understood, making this investigation innovative.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Xin — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Yu, Xin
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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.