Award
National Institute on Aging 5R01AG073230-05
Role of Endothelial K+ Channels in Age-Related Dementia
Recipient
Loma Linda University
Award Amount
$622,080.00
Ceiling
$622,080.00
Awarded
May 11, 2026
Identifier
5R01AG073230-05
Research project funded by the National Institute on Aging to study the role of endothelial potassium channels in age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease, focusing on vascular dysfunction and potential therapeutic targets.
Description
This project aims to delineate how endothelial dysfunction precedes and accompanies the progression of age-related dementia, especially in the presence of ApoE Ɛ4, and how Alzheimer's disease pathology impacts cerebrovascular endothelial function. The focus is on vasodilatory signaling pathways involving endothelial K+ channels, particularly KIR2.x channels, which are reduced with age and Alzheimer's disease pathology. The project tests the hypothesis that impairment of endothelial KIR channel function caused by cellular cholesterol underlies cerebrovascular aging and dementia development, using ex vivo, in vivo, and interventional approaches with animal models.