Understanding how small brain vessels fail and contribute to dementia
Official title: Lesions and Loss of Smooth Muscle Cells in Brain Underlies Small Vessel Disease
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11401747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project is exploring how loss of smooth muscle cells in brain vessels leads to cognitive problems and dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $658,441 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128963-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment, or acquired brain injury may benefit from advances in understanding vascular contributions to dementia.
✕Less likely to help
The study focuses on mechanisms; not all patients may directly benefit during the research period.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced imaging and experimental models to map how small vessel dysfunction affects brain tissue and thinking abilities over time. Researchers will study the different mural cell types in brain vessels and how their loss relates to stroke and dementia risk. The goal is to connect specific vascular changes to brain damage and cognitive decline, providing a clearer path to future therapies. Participants might contribute by providing tissue samples or data in future studies, and the findings could inform better diagnosis and treatment for vascular-related cognitive impairment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection and new treatment strategies for vascular-related dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked arteriolar smooth muscle cell loss to small vessel disease and dementia, with ongoing research exploring vascular-brain interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nelson, Mark T — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Nelson, Mark T
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.