Understanding how aging affects the blood-brain barrier and protein transport
Validation and Kinetic Characterization of Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier-Traversing Proteins in Aging With Library-Free Multiplexed Targeted Proteomics
This study is looking at how a part of the brain that helps protect it changes as we get older, with the hope of finding new ways to treat age-related diseases by better understanding how proteins move from our blood to the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10948161 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the choroid plexus, a key part of the blood-brain barrier, and how its function changes as we age. By using advanced proteomic techniques, the study aims to identify how proteins are transported from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid, which could lead to new treatments for age-related diseases. The research focuses on developing methods to detect and quantify proteins in challenging biological samples, enhancing our understanding of the aging process. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to innovative therapies targeting the blood-brain barrier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related cognitive decline or neurological conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with acute neurological injuries or those not experiencing age-related changes may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for age-related neurological disorders by improving drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the blood-brain barrier's role in aging, but this specific proteomic approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shuken, Steven Robert — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Shuken, Steven Robert
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.