The relationship 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-10614288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stiff arteries might affect brain health, especially for African Americans who are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, and it will use a simple test to measure artery stiffness while considering factors like diabetes and high blood pressure.
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) | $12,713 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG062488-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10614288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American adults aged 41-104 years, 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 of age may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how arterial stiffness may affect brain health, particularly in African Americans who are at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By measuring arterial stiffness through a non-invasive method called pulse wave velocity, the study aims to understand its impact on cognitive impairment and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research will utilize data from a large cohort of African Americans, focusing on the roles of sex, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension in these associations. Participants will be drawn from the Jackson Heart Study, which has a wealth of existing health data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potentially new strategies for preventing or managing 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, similar 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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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.