Understanding how small blood vessel disease affects brain function and dementia.
Official title: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Dementia: Defining Global Resilience and Disruption in Brain Networks
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11032093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with tiny blood vessels in the brain might be linked to dementia, especially Alzheimer's, to help us understand how they affect thinking and memory in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $136,778 |
| NIH project number | 1K25AG090707-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing cognitive decline or showing early signs of dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with dementia not related to small vessel disease or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cerebral small vessel disease and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to uncover how small blood vessel issues contribute to cognitive decline and affect brain networks. By focusing on cerebral microbleeds, the study seeks to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding their impact on cognitive function in older adults. The research is conducted at Wake Forest University Health Sciences, a leader in geriatric research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of dementia, enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of small vessel disease on cognitive function, suggesting this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bahrami, Mohsen — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bahrami, Mohsen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding and improving support for male dementia caregivers
This project focuses on what helps or hinders men who care for people with dementia, with new ideas to reach and support them better.
-
Dimensional Complexity as a Brain Biomarker for Resilience in Aging and Dementia
A biomarker from resting-state brain scans may help predict which people are likely to stay cognitively healthy as they age.
-
How speaking two languages affects memory and dementia risk
This project compares older adults who speak two languages with those who speak one to find out if bilingualism helps protect thinking and delay dementia.
-
Understanding how being bilingual affects brain health in aging and dementia.
This study is looking at how speaking two languages might help older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s or related conditions, stay mentally sharp over time, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how bilingualism could protect against memory loss.
-
Investigating how multiple health conditions and stress affect dementia risk and cognitive decline in older adults
This study looks at how having several long-term health issues might affect the chances of older adults developing dementia or having memory problems, while also considering how stress and resilience play a role, with the goal of finding ways to better support these individuals.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
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.