# Novel Autonomous Roles of CNS Angiogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · HUNTINGTON MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES · 2021 · $339,867

## Abstract

Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) acquires its vasculature by angiogenesis, a process that is critical for its
development and repair. Our work has changed notions of cerebral vascularization which implied that blood
vessels sprout passively into the brain parenchyma from pial vascular plexuses to meet metabolic needs of
growing neuronal populations or treated endothelial cells of the CNS as a homogenous population. Based on
origins, anatomical location, independent growth patterns and developmental regulation, forebrain vascular
networks fall into two categories: pial and periventricular. The periventricular vascular network that develops in
advance of and independent of neuronal development is strategically positioned to provide support and critical
guidance cues to instruct neurogenesis and GABAergic interneuron migration in the developing telencephalon.
These findings offer new solutions for transplanted primary neuronal precursors that are unable to migrate and
integrate into regions requiring new neurons in the absence of proper guidance mechanisms. This application
will explore this novel paradigm of neurovascular interactions in diverse ways. It will identify novel
angiogenesis mechanisms underlying the origin and etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. It aims to highlight
the novel concept that endothelial GABA signaling is indispensable for brain development shaping postnatal
and adult behavior. It attempts to rescue abnormal vascular GABA signaling during embryonic development as
a therapeutic approach for long-lasting mental health outcomes. It will examine whether periventricular–like
human endothelial cells promote human GABAergic neuronal migration to facilitate development of novel cell
based therapies for GABA-related diseases. Results will have far-reaching effects on concepts and
mechanisms of regulation of angiogenesis, offer new perspectives on telencephalic histogenesis principles and
will lead to discoveries with unprecedented implications for regenerative medicine and treatment of many
neurological and psychiatric diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242957
- **Project number:** 5R01NS100808-05
- **Recipient organization:** HUNTINGTON MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES
- **Principal Investigator:** Anju Vasudevan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $339,867
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-30 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242957

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242957, Novel Autonomous Roles of CNS Angiogenesis (5R01NS100808-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242957. Licensed CC0.

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