Immune cells along brain blood vessels in aging and amyloid-related vessel disease
The role of brain border-associated macrophages in aging and cerebral amyloid angiopathy
This work looks at special immune cells that sit next to brain blood vessels to see how they change with aging and Alzheimer’s-related amyloid build-up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251548 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mouse models that mimic Alzheimer’s-related amyloid in brain blood vessels to study border-associated macrophages (BAM), a type of immune cell that hugs the vasculature. They use live imaging and molecular tools to compare BAM function in young versus aged and amyloid-bearing animals and have created genetically modified mice that alter BAM activity. By removing or changing BAMs, the team watches how vessel amyloid, blood vessel health, and brain function respond. The goal is to find whether restoring or supporting BAM activity could reduce amyloid around vessels and protect memory.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer’s disease, suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy, or age-related memory decline would be most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: Young healthy people without amyloid-related vascular problems are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to protect brain blood vessels from amyloid and slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s-related vascular disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show microglia can influence amyloid clearance, but focused work on BAMs is newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lafaille, Juan — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lafaille, Juan
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.