Mapping how water moves across the blood-brain barrier using MRI
Official title: Non-invasive MRI mapping of BBB water exchange rate and permeability
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11141776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new, gentle MRI method to see how well the blood-brain barrier is working, which is important for keeping your brain safe, and it could help spot early signs of brain health issues as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $689,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134712-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults or individuals at risk for neurodegenerative disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute neurological conditions or those who do not have any risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a non-invasive MRI technique designed to assess the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which protects the brain from harmful substances. By using a specialized method called diffusion prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (OP-pCASL), the study aims to measure the water exchange rate and permeability of the BBB. This could help identify early signs of neurodegenerative disorders by detecting subtle dysfunctions in the BBB. The research will focus on understanding how these measurements relate to aging and other factors that may affect brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using MRI techniques to assess BBB function, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Danny Jj — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wang, Danny Jj
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
RNA dysregulation in a rare childhood brain disorder (PCH1b)
Researchers are studying a rare genetic brain disease in young children to understand how RNA processing goes wrong and leads to damage in the cerebellum and brainstem.
-
Studying how diverse signals come from similar molecules at glutamatergic synapses
A project at a university explores how synapses in the brain create different signals from a shared set of molecules, using a fruit-fly model to understand how this could relate to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
-
How brain chemicals may influence tau clumps in Alzheimer’s disease
A study from USC explores how certain brain chemicals might influence the clumping of tau protein related to Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to identify factors that could affect disease progression.
-
GLP-1 medicines and brain health: real-world clues about dementia risk
A nationwide study will follow adults 21 and older using GLP-1 medicines to see how these drugs relate to memory, thinking, and dementia risk in real life.
-
Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
-
Global effort to harmonize fMRI findings in psychiatry
A large, international effort will standardize how brain MRI data are collected and analyzed in people with various mental health conditions to improve consistency and discovery.
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.