How gut bacteria affect B-cell driven brain inflammation in cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Impact of the gut microbiome on B cell-mediated neuroinflammation in cerebral amyloid angiopathy
This project looks at whether changes in gut bacteria change B cell behavior that can worsen blood-vessel damage and thinking problems in people with cerebral amyloid angiopathy and Alzheimer's-related dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From the patient's perspective, researchers use models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy to study how the microbiota-gut-brain axis influences B cells that enter or affect the brain. They measure B cells and inflammation in brain and surrounding tissues and profile the gut microbiome to find links with amyloid-related blood-vessel damage. The team will manipulate the gut microbiome and track whether those changes alter B-cell activity, amyloid deposition, and markers of cognitive decline. Findings are intended to point toward microbiome-related ways to reduce harmful immune activity in CAA and related dementias.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with a diagnosis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy or Alzheimer's-related dementia—especially older adults with evidence of amyloid-related vascular disease—are the most directly relevant group for this research.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are due to non-amyloid causes or who do not have amyloid-related vascular disease are less likely to benefit from findings focused on CAA and B-cell neuroinflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to microbiome-targeted approaches to lower B cell–driven inflammation, protect brain blood vessels, and slow cognitive decline in people with CAA or Alzheimer-related dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that removing B cells can reduce amyloid burden and improve cognition, but linking gut microbiome changes specifically to B-cell–mediated neuroinflammation in CAA is a newer and less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Juneyoung — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Lee, Juneyoung
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.