Repairing leaks in the brain's blood vessels in Alzheimer's
Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: New Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Strategies
This project tries to stop or repair leaks in the brain's blood vessels caused by Alzheimer's to help protect thinking and memory in people with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how two Alzheimer’s proteins—amyloid beta and tau—cause the blood–brain barrier to become leaky and how tau moves across brain blood vessels. The team will use lab-grown human cells and animal models to map the signaling pathways that lead to barrier dysfunction. They will test molecules or strategies that could restore normal barrier function and prevent protein-driven damage. Successful lab results would guide future early-stage clinical testing aimed at protecting cognition in people with Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment likely due to Alzheimer's would be the most relevant candidates for future clinical testing based on this work.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or whose symptoms come from other causes are unlikely to benefit, and this research may not offer immediate clinical treatments for current patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that restore the brain's protective barrier and slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show amyloid can damage the blood–brain barrier and some protective approaches worked in lab models, but targeting tau-driven barrier damage and tau transport is a newer and less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartz, Anika M.s. — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Hartz, Anika M.s.
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 below.