Understanding small blood vessel issues in dementia

Imaging Cerebral Small Vessels in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID)

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-10745164

This study is looking at how problems with tiny blood vessels in the brain might affect thinking and memory, especially in people with Alzheimer's, and it aims to use new MRI techniques to better understand these vessels so we can find ways to improve treatments for dementia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10745164 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how small blood vessel disease contributes to cognitive impairment and dementia, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The team is developing advanced MRI techniques to visualize and analyze these small vessels in the brain, which are often difficult to study with current imaging methods. By improving our understanding of these vessels, the research aims to identify potential biomarkers and mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for dementia. Patients may undergo non-invasive imaging to help researchers gather data on cerebral small vessel health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing cognitive decline or diagnosed with dementia, particularly those with vascular contributions to their condition.

Not a fit: Patients with non-vascular forms of dementia or those without cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for patients suffering from vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques to study cerebral small vessels, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's 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.