Support cells around brain blood vessels and their role in Alzheimer's-related vessel disease
Exploring brain perivascular fibroblasts in health and cerebral amyloid angiopathy
This research looks at whether support cells around brain blood vessels (perivascular fibroblasts) help keep small arteries stable and how their loss may affect people with Alzheimer's-related blood vessel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307550 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use high-resolution imaging and mouse models to watch the cells that sit around small brain arteries and learn how they help keep vessel shape and function. Techniques include two-photon microscopy and experiments that selectively remove or alter these perivascular fibroblasts to see what changes. They will compare healthy brains to models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition where amyloid builds up on blood vessels and is linked to Alzheimer's. The goal is to determine whether losing these support cells makes arteries more twisted or less able to regulate blood flow, which could suggest ways to protect vessel health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The work is focused on Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, so it is most relevant to older adults with AD or vascular amyloid, although the project itself uses animal models and does not currently recruit patients.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are due to non-vascular causes or who do not have vascular amyloid are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or restore brain blood vessel stability and slow vascular contributions to Alzheimer's-related cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Related research has shown that other vascular support cells (like pericytes) affect Alzheimer's-related damage, but perivascular fibroblasts are a newer and less-tested focus.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bonney, Stephanie — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Bonney, Stephanie
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.