How Blood Vessel Changes in the Brain Affect Huntington's Disease
Understanding the Contribution of Altered Cerebrovascular Function to the Pathology and Clinical Symptoms of Huntington Disease
This work explores how changes in brain blood vessels might contribute to the symptoms and progression of Huntington's disease in people living with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912523 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into how problems with blood flow in the brain might lead to the brain changes and symptoms seen in Huntington's disease. Our team will use advanced brain imaging to see how blood vessels are working in different parts of the brain. We will also follow people with Huntington's disease over time to understand how these blood vessel changes develop and if they are linked to how quickly the disease progresses. This will help us understand if targeting these blood vessel issues could be a new way to help manage Huntington's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies would likely be individuals with Huntington's disease, particularly those with the gene expansion, who are willing to undergo brain imaging and clinical assessments.
Not a fit: Patients without Huntington's disease or those not interested in participating in observational imaging studies may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to understand and potentially treat Huntington's disease by focusing on brain blood vessel health.
How similar studies have performed: While the importance of neurovascular alterations in neurodegeneration is increasingly recognized, this specific focus on Huntington's disease and its progression is a novel and important area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosas, Herminia Diana — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rosas, Herminia Diana
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.