How tiny capillaries and their support cells control brain blood flow and what goes wrong in small vessel disease
Capillary control of cerebral blood flow, and its disruption in small vessel disease
Researchers are examining how capillary cells called pericytes regulate blood flow in the brain to better understand small vessel diseases such as CADASIL.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11286631 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team watches tiny blood vessels in the brain using high-resolution two-photon microscopy and experiments that change blood pressure to see how capillaries respond. They focus on pericytes, cells that wrap capillaries, and measure how those cells constrict or relax and which molecular signals (like EGFR, IP3, and TRPC3) are involved. The researchers use a genetic mouse model of CADASIL to see how these capillary control mechanisms break down in a form of small vessel disease. Their methods include targeted cell manipulation and imaging to link cell behavior to blood flow changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by cerebral small vessel disease, especially those with CADASIL or unexplained vascular cognitive decline, would be most interested in the results and potential future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are purely non-vascular (for example, dementia without a vascular component) are less likely to benefit directly from this work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets to prevent or treat brain blood-flow problems that contribute to cognitive decline in small vessel disease.
How similar studies have performed: Advanced imaging and animal models have been used successfully in vascular research before, but the specific finding that pericytes on early capillary branches dynamically respond to pressure and the signaling pathway described is a newer, relatively novel insight.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dabertrand, Fabrice — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Dabertrand, Fabrice
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.