GPR39's role in protecting small brain vessels and memory during aging
Role of GPR39 in Aging-Related Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11297686
This work looks at whether a brain receptor called GPR39 helps keep tiny blood vessels open and protects thinking and memory in older people with vascular-related cognitive problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11297686 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team builds on findings in human brain tissue and uses mouse models to explore how GPR39 responds to a natural lipid signal (14,15-EET) that helps small vessels dilate. They compare mice lacking GPR39 or with higher levels of the enzyme that breaks down EETs to normal mice as they age, using live brain imaging (two-photon microscopy) to watch capillary blood flow and memory tests to track thinking. The researchers will measure molecular changes in pericytes and endothelium and relate those findings back to human samples. The work aims to show whether supporting GPR39/EET signaling can preserve capillary flow and prevent age-related vascular cognitive decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related cognitive decline or vascular cognitive impairment, or those at high risk from small vessel disease, would be the relevant patient group for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose dementia is driven mainly by non-vascular Alzheimer's pathology without small vessel disease are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to protect small brain blood vessels and slow or prevent vascular-related memory and thinking decline.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work supports the related sEH/EET pathway in animal models and human tissue, but GPR39's specific protective role for capillary flow and cognition is a newer and not yet clinically proven idea.
Where this research is happening
PORTLAND, UNITED STATES
- OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY — PORTLAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ALKAYED, NABIL J — OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ALKAYED, NABIL J
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 below.