Neutrophils and blood-vessel inflammation in Alzheimer's and mixed vascular dementia
Official title: Neutrophil-driven vascular inflammation in VCID and Mixed Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11194350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether neutrophils — a type of immune cell — cause inflamed brain blood vessels and reduced blood flow in people with Alzheimer's disease and mixed vascular cognitive impairment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS141137-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer's disease, vascular cognitive impairment, or mixed forms of dementia — and those with early memory problems linked to poor brain blood flow — would be the most relevant patient groups for related future trials or sample contributions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose symptoms come from purely non-vascular causes or those with very advanced, widespread neurodegeneration may be less likely to benefit from treatments targeting neutrophil-driven blood-flow problems.
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced live brain imaging in mouse models that mimic Alzheimer's disease, vascular contributions to cognitive impairment, and mixed forms to watch how neutrophils behave over time. They will measure blood flow, capillary stalls, blood-brain barrier leakage, and signs of vascular inflammation. The team will also use single-cell sequencing to identify whether specific neutrophil subtypes become more reactive and drive damage. Understanding when and how neutrophils switch on could point to ways to protect blood flow and slow cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new immune-focused approaches to preserve brain blood flow and help slow memory loss in Alzheimer's and mixed dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal work has shown neutrophils can block brain capillaries and worsen blood flow and memory in mice, but translating these findings into human treatments is still early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bracko, Oliver — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Bracko, Oliver
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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.