How dietary salt affects brain blood flow and dementia risk
Dietary Sodium, Neurovascular Dysfunction and Cerebrovascular Risk
Looking at whether eating a lot of salt harms brain blood flow and raises the chance of memory loss and dementia for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127500 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory models (including mice), advanced brain imaging, and cellular studies to trace how too much dietary salt makes gut immune cells release the signaling molecule IL-17, which then harms tiny blood vessels in the brain and causes tau changes tied to Alzheimer's. The researchers will identify what in the gut triggers IL-17 production, map where IL-17 acts on cerebral blood vessel cells, and determine how reduced brain blood flow leads to memory problems. They will also test ways to block this chain of events with the goal of protecting brain blood flow and preventing salt-related cognitive decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are older, have mild memory problems, or have a high-salt diet would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive decline is from genetic or non-vascular causes unrelated to diet may not receive direct benefit from this line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent or treat dementia linked to high salt intake, such as gut-immune or blood-vessel–protecting therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies, including this team's earlier work, have shown that high salt can lower brain blood flow and cause tau changes, but human evidence and treatments targeting this pathway are still limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iadecola, Costantino — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Iadecola, Costantino
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.