How blood vessel stiffness in midlife might affect brain health and thinking as we age
Official title: Longitudinal impact of midlife cerebrovascular pulsatility on brain tissue integrity and cognitive aging
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11368479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study will follow adults in midlife to see if stiffer arteries accelerate changes in brain tissue and thinking skills over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $768,457 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080052-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older who are willing to participate in longitudinal brain imaging and cognitive testing.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot undergo MRI or complete follow-up visits may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses 4-D flow MRI and related brain imaging to track how arterial stiffness in midlife may send pulsatile energy into the brain, potentially impacting brain tissue health. Over three years, researchers will measure changes in cerebrovascular pulsatility, brain tissue viscoelasticity, and cognitive performance to see if they are connected. The goal is to identify early brain changes that link vascular aging to cognitive aging so future interventions can target preventing or slowing these processes. Participants will undergo imaging and cognitive assessments at multiple time points to understand the timeline of these effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier detection of individuals at risk for cognitive aging and inform strategies to protect brain health through vascular care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests links between vascular health and brain aging, supporting the potential value of this longitudinal approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martens, Christopher — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Martens, Christopher
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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.