Understanding how blood vessel changes in midlife affect brain health and memory as we age
Longitudinal impact of midlife cerebrovascular pulsatility on brain tissue integrity and cognitive aging
This project explores how stiffening blood vessels in the brain during midlife might contribute to changes in brain tissue and memory as people get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190795 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into how stiffening of large arteries in midlife might send damaging energy into the brain, potentially speeding up cognitive aging. Using a special imaging technique called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE), we can detect subtle changes in brain tissue health. This 3-year project will follow individuals over time to see if changes in blood vessel pulsing and brain tissue stiffness are connected. We also want to see if these blood vessel changes affect memory by disrupting important brain areas like the hippocampus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults in midlife interested in understanding how vascular health influences brain aging and cognitive function.
Not a fit: Patients already experiencing advanced cognitive decline or those without vascular risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify early signs and mechanisms of cognitive decline related to vascular aging, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention or early intervention.
How similar studies have performed: While MRE has shown brain tissue softening with normal aging, this specific longitudinal approach to link cerebrovascular pulsatility directly to cognitive decline is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martens, Christopher — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Martens, Christopher
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.