VEGF proteins that may protect the brain in Alzheimer's disease
Neuroprotective Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at VEGF proteins in donated human brains to find clues that could lead to new treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304769 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study members of the VEGF protein family, including the receptor FLT1, in human Alzheimer's brain tissue to learn which cell types they affect. They will use advanced methods to isolate blood-vessel cells and apply spatial proteomics and transcriptomics to map proteins and gene activity at cellular resolution. The team will add samples from international brain banks to ensure findings reflect diverse populations. The overall aim is to identify molecular targets that could be developed into therapies to protect brain cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and those willing to enroll in brain-banking or tissue-donation programs are the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: Healthy people without dementia and those unwilling or unable to donate brain tissue are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets that lead to therapies protecting brain cells and slowing Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked VEGF proteins and the receptor FLT1 to protection in Alzheimer's, but translating those molecular findings into effective treatments remains early and largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hohman, Timothy J — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hohman, Timothy J
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 below.