The link between arterial stiffness and brain health in African Americans
Official title: Arterial Stiffness and Brain Health in African Americans
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10398882 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stiff arteries might impact brain health, especially in African Americans, to see if it plays a role in memory problems and Alzheimer's disease, and it will involve around 2,700 people aged 41 to 104 from the Jackson Heart Study.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $455,572 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG062488-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10398882 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American adults aged 41 years and older, particularly those with risk factors such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African American or those under 41 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how arterial stiffness may affect brain health, particularly focusing on cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. It aims to understand the relationship between arterial stiffness and brain microvasculature, which could contribute to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. The study will involve approximately 2,700 participants aged 41 to 104 from the Jackson Heart Study, utilizing non-invasive measurements of arterial stiffness and existing health data. By examining these factors, the research seeks to uncover potential reasons for the higher rates of Alzheimer's disease in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potentially new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease in African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on arterial stiffness and brain health in African Americans is novel, related studies have shown promising results in understanding cardiovascular health's impact on cognitive function.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Michelle — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Michelle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Arterial stiffness, cognition, and equol: a trial to help aging adults
A large, multi-site study tests whether taking equol daily for two years can slow arterial stiffness, brain changes, and thinking difficulties in older adults without dementia.
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Arterial health after pregnancy complications: uncovering heart disease risk in women
This project looks at why some women who had complications during pregnancy are at higher risk for heart disease later and how to spot those at risk earlier.
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Intersection of a vascular pathway with blood pressure control
A study in adults will look at how a specific protein pathway in blood vessels affects blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and vascular function.
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Equol for artery health and memory in older adults
Sees if taking a daily 10 mg equol pill for 24 months helps slow memory decline and improve artery stiffness and brain white matter in people aged 70 and older without dementia.
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Artery stiffness and reflected blood pressure after complicated pregnancies and future heart risk
Researchers are measuring artery stiffness and blood-pressure wave patterns in women who had pregnancy complications to find early signs of future heart disease.
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Investigating arterial stiffness in mothers and infants to prevent heart disease
This study is looking at how the stiffness of blood vessels affects the heart health of pregnant women and their babies, and it aims to find ways to lower the risk of heart disease for both moms and kids over three years after childbirth.
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.