NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Investigating how a peptide affects aging-related dementia

Official title: Understanding vascular aging-related dementia through medin signaling

Funded at Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation · NIH-10901026 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a substance called medin, which builds up in our blood vessels as we get older, might be linked to dementia, like Alzheimer's, and aims to find ways to reduce its harmful effects on the brain and blood vessels.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionArizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Phoenix, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$471,635
NIH project number1R56AG083570-01
Project IDNIH-10901026 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-vascular forms of dementia or those who are not elderly may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between vascular aging and dementia, particularly focusing on a peptide called medin that accumulates in blood vessels as we age. The study aims to understand how medin contributes to cell and tissue damage, which may lead to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Using advanced genetic screening techniques, researchers will identify the biological pathways involved in medin toxicity and test potential treatments to reverse its harmful effects. Additionally, they will create a mouse model to study the impact of medin on brain and vascular health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that mitigate the effects of aging on vascular health and reduce the risk of dementia.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting medin is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding the links between vascular health and dementia.

Where this research is happening

  • Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation
    Phoenix, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Migrino, Raymond Quezon — Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation
  • Study coordinator: Migrino, Raymond Quezon

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.