How blood vessel function affects brain fluid clearance in Lewy body dementia
Official title: Interaction between microvascular function and CSF clearance in Lewy body dementia
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-10661984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood flow in the brain affects the removal of waste, like harmful proteins, in people with Lewy body dementia, using advanced MRI technology to help us understand how these factors relate to memory and thinking problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,387,139 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG082257-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10661984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Lewy body dementia who are experiencing cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of dementia or those without cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between blood vessel function and the clearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with Lewy body dementia. It aims to understand how changes in blood flow may impact the brain's ability to remove waste, which is crucial for maintaining cognitive health. The study employs advanced non-invasive MRI techniques to assess both microvascular and lymphatic functions in the brain, providing insights into their interactions and effects on dementia pathology. By capturing in vivo data, the research seeks to clarify the mechanisms linking these systems to cognitive impairment and the presence of harmful proteins like beta-amyloid and tau.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving brain health and cognitive function in patients with Lewy body dementia.
How similar studies have gone: While the interaction between microvascular function and CSF clearance is a relatively novel area of investigation, preliminary studies have shown promising results using similar imaging techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hua, Jun — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Hua, Jun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
Synthetic protein mimetics to treat Lewy Body Dementia
A new therapeutic approach using engineered protein-like molecules to block the harmful protein clumps that cause Lewy Body Dementia.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a US survey for use in many countries
A study is adapting and testing a survey for dementia care workers in the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why workers stay in their jobs and how to improve care.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a survey for use in many countries
A multinational study will adapt and test a U.S. dementia-care worker survey in Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why staff stay in or leave long-term care settings.
-
Study of Dementia Care Staff in 4 Countries: Adapting Caregiver Surveys Across Cultures
A multinational project will adapt and test a dementia care worker survey so researchers can compare care environments across the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana.
-
New biomarkers to distinguish LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in dementia
A study to develop blood and CSF tests that can tell apart LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in people with dementia.
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.