Understanding how blood vessels in the brain change with age and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Neurovascular protein lifetime in health, aging and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11037596 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood vessels in the brain change as we get older and how these changes might be linked to Alzheimer's disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help keep our brains healthy as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $437,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG090974-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037596 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing cognitive decline or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have any cognitive impairments or neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of blood vessels in the brain and how their function changes with aging and in Alzheimer's disease. It focuses on the neurovascular unit, which includes various cell types that work together to maintain brain health by regulating blood flow and nutrient delivery. By examining the molecular mechanisms that affect these processes, the research aims to uncover how dysfunction in these blood vessels contributes to neurological diseases. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments or preventive strategies for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease and other age-related cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neurovascular dysfunction in aging and Alzheimer's, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daneman, Richard — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Daneman, Richard
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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.