Midlife heart stress and later brain health
Official title: Midlife cardiovascular stress physiology and preclinical cerebrovascular disease
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11397337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how stress-related changes in blood pressure during midlife may relate to early brain changes linked to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $716,628 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169990-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 40–59 who are interested in contributing to research on brain health and cardiovascular risk.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the specified age range or without an interest in research on midlife cardiovascular factors and brain health may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you are in midlife (40–59 years old) and concerned about brain health, this study explores how stress responses in blood pressure might connect to early brain and blood vessel changes that can lead to dementia later. The researchers plan to follow a community group of about 538 adults to measure cardiovascular stress reactions, markers of vascular function, and signs of preclinical cerebrovascular disease. They want to understand the biological pathways that could link midlife stress to brain health, with the goal of identifying targets to prevent cognitive decline. Participation would involve assessments and measurements conducted during the study period at the University of Pittsburgh. This work could pave the way for strategies to protect brain health starting in midlife.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these links could lead to new ways to prevent dementia by managing cardiovascular risk in midlife.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest cardiovascular stress responses are linked to vascular and brain changes, supporting potential relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gianaros, Peter J — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gianaros, Peter J
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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.