How aging and aged (senescent) cells may cause brain aneurysm rupture

Roles of aging and cellular senescence in the development of intracranial aneurysm rupture

NIH-funded research St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center · NIH-11308268

This research tests whether removing aging 'senescent' cells can lower the chance that a brain aneurysm will burst for people with intracranial aneurysms.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Phoenix, United States)
Project IDNIH-11308268 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project looks at how getting older and the buildup of 'senescent' cells can make an intracranial aneurysm more likely to burst. The team will use laboratory models and tissue analyses to see whether eliminating senescent cells reduces rupture risk. They will also use proteomics to identify inflammatory and tissue-remodeling proteins (the SASP) that are linked to rupture. Results are intended to point to treatments that target aging-related cells or the harmful signals they release.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for future patient-facing trials would be adults with diagnosed unruptured intracranial aneurysms, especially older adults or those judged at higher risk of rupture.

Not a fit: People without intracranial aneurysms, those whose aneurysms have already been definitively treated, or children are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could point to new therapies that reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture by targeting aging-related cells and inflammation.

How similar studies have performed: Clearing senescent cells has shown benefit in animal and lab studies of other age-related conditions, but using this approach to prevent brain aneurysm rupture is largely novel.

Where this research is happening

Phoenix, 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.
Conditions Cardiovascular Diseases
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.