Investigating how blood vessel health affects thinking skills in Lewy body dementias
Official title: Cerebrovascular contributions to cognitive impairment in Lewy body dementias
Funded at Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-10560481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the health of blood vessels in the brain affects thinking and memory problems in people with Lewy body dementias, like Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, to find early signs that could help with diagnosis and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $181,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG075408-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10560481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease Dementia or Dementia with Lewy Bodies who are experiencing cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of Lewy body dementias or those with other types of dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of cerebrovascular health in cognitive decline associated with Lewy body dementias, such as Parkinson’s Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to identify early biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. The researchers will measure how well blood vessels respond to challenges and how quickly blood reaches brain tissues, which may reveal important insights into cognitive impairment. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by identifying specific cerebrovascular issues that could be targeted for intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments for patients with Lewy body dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cerebrovascular measures to understand cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryman, Sephira — Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ryman, Sephira
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Neurological Health with Brain Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment (INHANCE-MCI)
A computer-based brain training program is being tested to help people with mild cognitive impairment maintain thinking skills and daily functioning.
-
Global picture of dementia risk and memory loss across the world
A large international effort gathers data from many studies to understand how dementia and memory problems develop around the world, using shared information to reveal patterns and risk factors.
-
Blood stem cell changes linked to mild memory problems and worsening kidney function
This project will see if age-related changes in blood stem cells (clonal hematopoiesis) are tied to mild thinking problems and faster kidney decline in adults.
-
Proteins in brain-supporting cell vesicles linked to HIV-related cognitive issues
A study from the University of Puerto Rico investigates proteins in brain-cell vesicles found in blood and CSF to understand HIV-related cognitive impairment better.
-
GPR39-based treatment approach for aging-related brain vascular dementia
A new drug-style compound that activates GPR39 in the brain is being studied to help people with vascular dementia linked to aging.
-
Imaging tiny brain vessels to understand vascular dementia
A doctor-scientist is testing a high-resolution brain MRI method to see tiny blood vessels and blood flow in people with vascular cognitive impairment and related dementias.
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.