Understanding how sex differences affect brain blood vessel health in Alzheimer's-related dementia.
Official title: Mechanisms underlying Sex differences in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: The Fibrin-Microglia Crosstalk
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11077269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which is linked to Alzheimer's disease, is affected by whether someone is male or female, and it’s exploring the role of a protein called fibrinogen that can cause inflammation in the brain; the goal is to find better treatments for people dealing with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079314-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly women, who are experiencing cognitive decline or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or those who are not experiencing cognitive decline, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a condition related to Alzheimer's disease, is influenced by sex differences. It focuses on the role of fibrinogen, a protein that accumulates in the brain and activates immune cells, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. By using mouse models, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these differences and how they contribute to the severity of CAA. The findings could help identify targeted treatments for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with Alzheimer's-related dementia, particularly those affected by CAA.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases can lead to significant advancements in treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manwani, Bharti — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Manwani, Bharti
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.