How blood vessel problems contribute to dementia
Novel regulation of vascular dementia
Researchers are looking at how blood vessel problems in the heart and brain may lead to dementia in people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will study blood vessel changes across the body — including heart and brain vessels — to see how those changes speed memory loss and dementia. The team will combine genetic data (like APOE), lab models, and patient tissue or clinical data to trace how vascular disease affects the brain. Investigators are focusing on a protein called Runx2 that may link atherosclerosis, stroke, and high blood pressure to Alzheimer-type changes. The aim is to find new targets for preventing or treating cognitive decline by addressing vascular health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include older adults with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment, and people with vascular risk factors such as stroke, atherosclerosis, or hypertension or with high-risk genes like APOE.
Not a fit: People with non-vascular causes of memory loss, very advanced end-stage dementia, or young-onset familial Alzheimer’s unrelated to vascular health may be unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat dementia by protecting or repairing blood vessels.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links vascular health and APOE to dementia risk, but applying a pan-vascular perspective and targeting Runx2 represents a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yabing — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yabing
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.