Understanding how blood vessels in the brain change with age and Alzheimer's disease

Neurovascular protein lifetime in health, aging and Alzheimer's disease

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11037596

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11037596 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing cognitive decline or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have any cognitive impairments or neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.