Understanding brain pericytes and their role in neurodegenerative diseases
Official title: Probing the heterogeneity of brain pericytes using new genetic tools
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11105873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special brain cells called pericytes that help keep blood vessels healthy, especially in people with Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, to learn how they change as we age and how they might affect our brain's health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $207,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG085559-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing age-related neurodegenerative conditions, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurodegenerative conditions or those without age-related cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of brain pericytes, which are specialized cells that support blood vessels in the brain, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By developing new genetic tools to identify and study these cells, the research aims to uncover their functions and how they change with age and disease. The approach includes creating specific genetic markers that can help differentiate brain pericytes from other cell types, allowing for a deeper understanding of their role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier and their involvement in neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific genetic tools being developed are novel, previous research has shown that understanding cell types like pericytes can lead to significant advancements in treating neurological disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Zhen — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Zhen
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.