Investigating how heart and brain blood flow are connected in aging and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Heart-brain MRI for the evaluation of hemodynamic coupling in aging and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11010036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood flow in the heart and brain works together, especially in older adults and those with Alzheimer's, to see if changes in this flow can help us understand memory and thinking problems better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $124,055 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AG080070-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have any cognitive impairments or cardiovascular issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the relationship between heart and brain blood flow, particularly in older adults and those with Alzheimer's disease. By using advanced MRI techniques, the study will simultaneously evaluate heart and brain function, which is typically done separately. The focus will be on measuring how changes in blood flow dynamics, such as aortic stiffness and brain pulsatility, relate to cognitive decline and dementia. This comprehensive approach could reveal important insights into the mechanisms linking cardiovascular health and brain function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using advanced imaging techniques to explore the connections between cardiovascular health and cognitive function, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jarvis, Kelly Brooke — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Jarvis, Kelly Brooke
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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.