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AD-Related Dementias Focus
Validate hypothesized mechanisms of VCID in large-scale, including community-based diverse, human studies leveraging existing and in-process biospecimens, genomics, and imaging data.
2031 PAR-19-167: Development and Validation of Advanced Mammalian Models for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R61/R33) RFA-NS-19-027: Human Three-Dimensional Cell Model Systems for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRDs) (UG3/UH3) NOT-AG-21-020: Maximizing the Scientific Value of Secondary Analyses of Existing Cohorts and Datasets in Order to Address Research Gaps and Foster Additional Opportunities in Aging Research RFA-NS-23-002: Tools and resources to understand the vascular pathophysiology of in vivo neuroimaging findings in TBI-related dementia and/or VCID (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) RFA-NS-24-034: Tools and resources to understand the vascular pathophysiology of in vivo neuroimaging findings in ARIA (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) 4.T In Progress Use data and other resources from large-scale clinical research and trials to test hypothesized mechanisms of human VCID in basic science models. DN 2019 ADRD Summit: Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID), Focus Area 3: Translational Studies, Milestone 7 2022 ADRD Summit: Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID) Milestone 8, Priority 3 Workshop: Gaps and Opportunities for Real-World Data: Stakeholder Workshop Translational Tools, Infrastructure, and Capabilities Development and Validation of Advanced Mammalian Models for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R61/R33) Human Three-Dimensional Cell Model Systems for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRDs) (UG3/UH3) Characterization and validation of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) as a biomarker of vascular dementia in mouse models Mind Your Risks First National Center Without Walls (CWOW) for the Science of Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID)
- At least one new VCID human data science model systems platform that leverages data, resources, and results from human VCID clinical research and clinical trials.
- At least one new VCID study using human data science/systems approach that leverages data, resources, and results from, and also tests hypotheses from, human VCID clinical research and clinical trials.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
A large body of clinical studies, including the SPRINT-MIND randomized control clinical trial in 2019, demonstrate that controlling blood pressure in midlife decreases one's risk of cognitive decline and dementia. To better understand this direct link between blood pressure, brain and vascular health, and dementia, NIH supports several basic research studies in animal models that allow scientists to study this link at the molecular level and test hypotheses about how to reduce hypertension-related vascular damage that can lead to cognitive impairment. For example, a recent NINDS-funded study in rats showed that hypertension led to accumulation of the AD-related protein beta-amyloid coupled with deficits in the brain pathways, known as perivascular “glymphatic pathways,” that help clear waste (like beta-amyloid aggregates) from brain cells.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of July 2022.