Understanding how blood flow problems in the brain affect Huntington’s disease
Official title: Understanding the Contribution of Altered Cerebrovascular Function to the Pathology and Clinical Symptoms of Huntington Disease
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11371125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at a major hospital is looking at how blood vessels in the brain may contribute to symptoms and brain changes in Huntington’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $649,592 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS114562-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Huntington’s disease or known HD gene expansion who participate in neuroimaging and clinical assessments.
✕Less likely to help
People without HD or without the ability to undergo MRI scanning or longitudinal assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how brain blood flow and vessel function relate to brain damage and clinical symptoms in people with Huntington’s disease. They will use clinical assessments and brain imaging to map regional blood flow and vascular reactivity, and see how these relate to brain atrophy over time. The project aims to identify vascular mechanisms that could be targeted in future HD treatments. The findings could help explain why some patients progress differently and inform future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could point to new vascular targets to slow HD progression and improve patient care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests neurovascular changes are linked to neurodegeneration, but this study seeks to clarify their role specifically in HD.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosas, Herminia Diana — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rosas, Herminia Diana
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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.