Molecular markers linking brain blood vessels and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Molecular Markers of Cerebrovascular Pathologies in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11394260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice and people will look at how the brain’s blood vessels change in Alzheimer’s and how blood-based proteins reflect those changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $558,171 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS135556-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, and potentially those at risk who could contribute blood samples or participate in longitudinal studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without AD or related dementia or those not contributing blood samples or participating in longitudinal vascular assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced brain imaging and mouse models to map how blood vessels change as Alzheimer’s progresses, and it tests whether blood markers mirror these vascular changes. Researchers will examine the 3xTg-AD mouse model and use 2-photon microscopy to study vessel structure, blood flow, and gene activity in endothelial cells. They will also explore how circulating proteins relate to vascular health and dementia risk over time. The goal is to connect vascular disruption with detectable blood signals that could predict onset or progression of AD-related dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to blood tests that flag early vascular changes associated with Alzheimer's, aiding early diagnosis and monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Past work shows cerebrovascular changes are linked to AD, but this project specifically ties vascular biomarkers to vessel genomics and circulating proteins.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Obenaus, Andre — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Obenaus, Andre
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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.