How disruptions in sleep patterns affect blood vessel responses in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: The effect of circadian rhythm disruptions on the angiogenic response to hypoperfusion in the AD brain
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11015819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in your body's natural clock might affect blood flow and the growth of new blood vessels in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, to better understand how these factors influence thinking and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $683,192 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081841-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who may also experience disruptions in their sleep patterns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's or those without any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between circadian rhythm disruptions and the body's ability to form new blood vessels in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. It aims to understand how insufficient blood flow affects cognitive function and how the normal processes of blood vessel growth are altered in Alzheimer's. By examining the brain's vascular responses to low blood flow, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The research utilizes advanced imaging techniques to analyze changes in brain cells and blood vessels over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that enhance blood flow and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of vascular health in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arai, Ken — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Arai, Ken
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Circadian control of brain blood vessels in Alzheimer’s disease
A researcher at Emory is studying how daily biological rhythms influence the brain’s blood vessels to improve brain drug delivery in Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Understanding the biology behind Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) and new treatment ideas
This NIH grant aims to understand why some people, including teens and adults, have DSWPD and how to develop better circadian-based treatments to improve sleep and daily functioning.
-
Sleep, circadian rhythms, and the brain’s reward system in teens
A study in teens aims to understand how sleep patterns and daily rhythms influence risk-taking and substance use by looking at brain circuits involved in reward and control.
-
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Understanding Why Some People Sleep Late
A study at Northwestern University is exploring why some people with delayed sleep patterns have different light sensitivity and how this affects their sleep timing, with the goal of personalizing treatment for those with DSWPD.
-
Sleep and circadian factors linked to opioid treatment outcomes
A long-term study at Johns Hopkins will follow people on buprenorphine or methadone to see how sleep quality and daily rhythms relate to ongoing opioid use.
-
Exercise timing to reset the brain’s body clock in breast cancer care
A study tests whether exercising at specific times can reset the brain’s circadian clock and potentially improve well-being for people coping with breast cancer.
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.