# Neurovascular Consequences of Inhaled Uranium Mine-Site Dust Exposure

> **NIH NIH R00** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR · 2021 · $247,336

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Corporate uranium mines were established in the Southwestern United States from the 1940s-1980s, leaving
behind poorly remediated sites near surrounding residential homes. Inhaled, mine-site derived PM has been
associated with an increase in serum inflammatory potential and subsequent vascular disease. The PM arising
from these uranium mines tends to be high in specific toxic metals including vanadium, uranium, and often
nickel and arsenic. The full scope of systemic health effects following inhaled mine-site derived PM is
unknown, but such inflammatory impacts to the neurovasculature could promote neurological diseases and the
elucidation of such mechanisms has yet to be discerned. Therefore, the primary objective of this research
proposal is to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanistic, causal basis for mine-site derived PM-
induced neurovascular dysfunction. In preliminary studies, I have observed that mine site PM is more acutely
toxic to the lungs and systemic vasculature compared to regional background PM. Furthermore, similar studies
of inhaled particulates and gases demonstrate a BBB dysfunction that can drive neuroinflammatory outcomes.
Therefore, my specific aims will serve three primary objectives: 1) to further explore neurovascular responses
following mine-site derived PM exposure using state-of-the art mobile laboratory AirCARE 1 2) to determine
the contribution of the Rho A/Rho kinase pathway on neurovascular dysfunction following mine-site derived PM
exposure and 3) to examine the ultimate impact of these outcomes on long-term neuropathology and behavior.
This project will serve as a five-year platform for my transition to independence. The University of New Mexico
(UNM) offers a supportive environment where investigators can take advantage of several shared resources. I
will take full advantage of the outstanding facilities at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center,
including the Biomedical Research and Integrative Neuroimaging Center (BRaIN), where the MRI, Morris
Water Maze and Radial Arm Maze are housed. Data from these studies will ultimately lead to essential
information pertinent to Southwestern populations in close proximity to abandoned uranium mines, as well as
governing agencies involved in air-quality regulations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10164782
- **Project number:** 5R00ES029104-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine Zychowski
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $247,336
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-05-15 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10164782

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10164782, Neurovascular Consequences of Inhaled Uranium Mine-Site Dust Exposure (5R00ES029104-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10164782. Licensed CC0.

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