How the brain's body clock affects blood vessel repair in Alzheimer's
Official title: The effect of circadian rhythm disruptions on the angiogenic response to hypoperfusion in the AD brain
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11285334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether disruptions in the brain's daily rhythms keep blood vessels from repairing after low blood flow in people living with Alzheimer's.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $759,102 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081841-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people living with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who are willing to contribute clinical information or tissue/samples to related research.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's disease or those with non-vascular causes of cognitive impairment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This work uses Alzheimer models and detailed gene profiling of brain blood-vessel cells to see how reduced blood flow (hypoperfusion) changes vascular repair. Researchers will map the 'brain vasculome' of endothelial cells and pericytes and use imaging tools like two-photon microscopy to watch vessel responses over time. They will test whether disruptions in circadian (day–night) genes interfere with the normal angiogenic response to low blood flow. The goal is to identify molecular pathways that explain failed vascular recovery in AD and point to targets for future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal targets to protect or restore brain blood vessels and help slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show circadian genes can influence blood vessel growth and vascular function, but applying that knowledge specifically to Alzheimer's-related hypoperfusion is largely new.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arai, Ken — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Arai, Ken
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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.