Understanding how Alzheimer's risk genes affect blood vessels in the brain
Official title: Investigating the Functional Impact of AD Risk Genes on Neuro-Vascular Interactions
Funded at Regenerative Research Foundation · NIH-11121940 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how certain genes linked to Alzheimer's disease affect the brain's blood vessels, which could help us find new ways to treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Regenerative Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,514,673 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AG072464-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121940 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future clinical trials stemming from this work would likely seek individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients currently seeking direct treatment or immediate diagnostic tools will not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on the strong connection between blood vessel problems in the brain and Alzheimer's disease, which is linked to changes in memory and thinking. Researchers believe that specific genes associated with Alzheimer's might harm these blood vessels, leading to inflammation, issues with the blood-brain barrier, and reduced blood flow, all of which contribute to brain cell damage. Our team will use advanced genetic tools and models to study these Alzheimer's risk genes in vascular cells, looking at how they contribute to brain blood vessel disease. We will also consider how these gene effects might differ between men and women, and in people with metabolic diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for therapies that protect brain blood vessels and slow down or prevent Alzheimer's disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between vascular dysfunction and Alzheimer's is recognized, this specific approach to systematically investigate the functional impact of multiple Alzheimer's risk genes on vascular cells is a novel and comprehensive effort.
Where this research is happening
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Regenerative Research Foundation
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Temple, Sally — Regenerative Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Temple, Sally
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.