How inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis may affect brain health and dementia risk
Role of Systemic Inflammation in Cognitive Decline: Rheumatoid Arthritis as a Prototype
This project looks at whether long-term inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis causes more strokes, small-vessel brain changes, and memory decline, and whether these effects differ between men and women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292940 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research comparing people with rheumatoid arthritis to those without to measure stroke history and cognitive changes over time. The team will review medical records, perform brain MRI scans to detect small vessel disease, and collect blood tests for RA activity and immune-aging biomarkers. They will combine imaging, laboratory, and cognitive test data to see how inflammation and vascular disease together relate to memory and thinking, and will examine differences between men and women. The work uses established patient cohorts and clinical resources at Mayo Clinic Rochester.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (both women and men), particularly older adults willing to undergo MRI, blood draws, and cognitive testing.
Not a fit: People without rheumatoid arthritis, children, or anyone who cannot have an MRI or attend clinic visits are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to reduce stroke-related brain damage and lower dementia risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis, possibly by targeting inflammation and vascular risk factors more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked RA and systemic inflammation to higher stroke and dementia risk, but combining long-term clinical records, brain MRI, and immune biomarkers with a focus on sex differences is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myasoedova, Elena — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Myasoedova, Elena
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.