Understanding how sex differences affect brain blood vessel health in Alzheimer's-related dementia.

Mechanisms underlying Sex differences in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: The Fibrin-Microglia Crosstalk

NIH-funded research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11077269

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11077269 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Houston, 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.
Conditions advanced disease
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.