Subclinical vascular factors and brain aging in diverse adults
Official title: Subclinical Vascular Contributions to Alzheimer's Disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Multisite Study of AD (Renewal)
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11362292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study of how hidden blood-vessel changes relate to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in diverse adults 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,365,161 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG058969-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 65 years and older, especially those with vascular risk factors or diverse backgrounds (Black, Hispanic, Chinese American, White).
✕Less likely to help
Participants without vascular risk factors or cognitive impairment may have little direct benefit beyond contributing to knowledge.
What this research studies
This project follows a diverse group of adults aged 65 and up to see how subtle blood-vessel problems may influence brain health and Alzheimer’s biomarkers over time. It builds on the large MESA study, adding cognitive testing and brain imaging to track how vascular changes relate to memory and thinking. The goal is to understand why some people develop dementia symptoms even when signs of vascular disease are subclinical, with attention to health disparities. Researchers will collect imaging data, biomarkers, and cognitive measures to map connections between blood vessel health and brain aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier identification of people at risk and new ways to protect brain health by targeting vascular factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed links between vascular health and brain imaging changes, with this project extending those findings in a diverse aging population.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hughes, Timothy M. — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Hughes, Timothy M.
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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.