Low blood–brain barrier water exchange as an early sign of small vessel brain disease
Reduced BBB Water Exchange as a Preclinical Biomarker of Small Vessel Disease
This project looks at whether a new type of brain scan can find early small-vessel brain damage in older adults before memory problems appear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll get a special MRI (DW‑ASL) that measures water flow across your blood–brain barrier, blood tests for inflammatory markers, and some participants may have a lumbar puncture to check cerebrospinal fluid for oxidative stress; the team will repeat tests and follow your thinking and memory over time. The researchers plan to enroll about 140 older adults who are currently healthy and will track whether low water-exchange rates (kw) predict later cognitive decline. The work builds on initial findings linking low kw to higher inflammation and poorer cognitive performance. The aim is to confirm a noninvasive imaging marker that could identify early vascular brain injury before symptoms are obvious.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults without diagnosed dementia who can come to the University of Kentucky for MRI scans, blood draws, and possibly a lumbar puncture, and who are willing to be followed over several years.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, severe medical conditions that make MRI or lumbar puncture unsafe, or younger individuals without vascular risk factors are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give doctors a noninvasive way to detect early small-vessel brain disease so treatments or lifestyle changes can begin sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot data suggest the DW‑ASL water-exchange measure is linked to inflammation and worse cognition, but using it as a preclinical biomarker is novel and needs longitudinal confirmation.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gold, Brian Timothy — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Gold, Brian Timothy
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.