Understanding how brain blood vessels clear waste in Alzheimer's and related conditions
Mechanisms of Vasomotion-mediated Perivascular Clearance in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
This project looks at how tiny movements in brain blood vessels help clear away harmful proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease and a condition called cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
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 ID | NIH-11141752 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our brain's blood vessels are crucial for removing waste products, but in conditions like Alzheimer's and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), this waste removal system doesn't work as well. This project explores how slow, natural pulsing movements of these blood vessels, called vasomotion, help clear away a protein called amyloid beta. We want to understand how these movements work and if strengthening them could be a way to improve waste clearance. The goal is to find new ways to help patients by targeting these vessel movements.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients interested in the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, as it aims to uncover new therapeutic targets.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical trials or direct treatment options may not find direct benefit from this basic science project at this stage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that enhance the brain's natural waste removal system, potentially slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by the researchers has shown that vasomotion plays a role in perivascular clearance, and this project builds upon those initial findings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenberg, Steven M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Greenberg, Steven M
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.