How brain blood-vessel cells handle serotonin and dopamine
Endothelial monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism at the blood-brain barrier
This research looks at how cells lining brain blood vessels manage serotonin and dopamine and what that could mean for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will identify genes in brain endothelial cells that control the production and breakdown of dopamine and serotonin at the blood–brain barrier. They will manipulate those genes in laboratory cell and animal models and analyze tissue and dataset evidence to see how changes affect barrier function and nearby neural circuits. The team aims to connect endothelial monoamine handling with features seen in Alzheimer's disease, such as blood–brain barrier disruption and altered brain signaling. Findings could point to new ways to protect the barrier or adjust brain chemistry.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, or those willing to provide biological samples for research, would be the most relevant candidates to engage with this work.
Not a fit: People without neurodegenerative conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to protect the blood–brain barrier or alter brain chemistry in ways that slow or reduce Alzheimer's-related decline.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked blood–brain barrier breakdown and monoamine changes to Alzheimer's, but studying endothelial metabolism of these neurotransmitters is relatively new and mostly tested in lab models.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munji, Roeben — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Munji, Roeben
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.