Understanding Blood Vessel Changes in Early Brain Amyloid Buildup
Vascular Pathology in Early and Asymptomatic Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11075356
This project looks at how changes in brain blood vessels happen in people with early, often unnoticed, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition linked to memory problems and bleeding in the brain.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11075356 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common condition in older adults where a protein called amyloid builds up in the walls of small blood vessels in the brain. This buildup can lead to serious issues like bleeding in the brain or problems with memory and thinking. While CAA is often found after these problems occur, we know that many people have early, silent forms of the condition. This project uses advanced MRI scans to find these early signs of CAA, which has been successfully demonstrated in previous work. Our goal is to discover what factors might influence how the disease progresses in its early stages, as current modifiable risk factors are not well understood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults who may have early signs of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, potentially identified through advanced imaging.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have cerebral amyloid angiopathy or related brain vessel changes would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify ways to prevent serious brain bleeds and memory problems in people with early cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work from this project has successfully used MRI biomarkers to identify patients with early, pre-clinical forms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VISWANATHAN, ANAND — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: VISWANATHAN, ANAND
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer's disease pathology