Understanding small blood vessel issues in dementia
Official title: Imaging Cerebral Small Vessels in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID)
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10745164 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,487,668 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG084072-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10745164 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing cognitive decline or diagnosed with dementia, particularly those with vascular contributions to their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-vascular forms of dementia or those without cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Danny Jj — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wang, Danny Jj
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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.