Neuroinflammation and vascular cognitive impairment in aging
Official title: Neuroinflammatory Mechanisms of Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11463280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how metabolic risk factors in midlife affect aging-related brain changes and memory problems, using mouse models and human brain findings to understand why vascular and inflammatory processes contribute to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,882 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG058273-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with midlife metabolic syndrome or aging-related cognitive concerns, or patients who donate brain tissue or participate in similar translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without metabolic syndrome or existing cognitive impairment may have limited direct benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how a chronic high-fat diet in mice, mimicking metabolic syndrome, changes brain blood vessels and inflammation, and how this relates to age-related cognitive decline. They focus on a brain enzyme called soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and the loss of anti-inflammatory EETs, which may drive neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits. The work ties observations from human brains with results from animal models to identify potential points for intervention, including whether inhibiting sEH can protect against brain inflammation and memory problems in aging. This project could inform strategies to reduce dementia risk in people with midlife metabolic syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new approaches to prevent or slow cognitive decline in people with metabolic syndrome by targeting brain inflammation and vascular health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked sEH activity to neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in animal models, supporting a plausible translational path; however, direct human trials are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alkayed, Nabil J — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Alkayed, Nabil 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.