# Imaging Vascular Function in Normal Aging, MCI, and Mild Dementia

> **NIH NIH K25** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $149,446

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 This application aims to broaden the research expertise of Dr. Xu, who has a background in
bioengineering, by delving into clinical research of neurodegenerative diseases. The goal is to support her pursuit
of an independent research career focused on using advanced neuroimaging techniques to identify cognitive
decline caused by vascular insults. It is increasingly recognized that cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) is influenced by factors beyond the plaques and tangles, including small vessel diseases. Vascular
dysfunction seems to precede tissue atrophy resulting from neuronal degeneration, suggesting that measuring
vascular function could insights into alternative pathologies contributing to early-stage cognitive dysfunction. Dr.
Xu recently developed a non-invasive method of measuring arterial cerebral blood volume (CBVa) using the
novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called the Fourier transform-based (FT-) velocity-selective
(VS) arterial spin labeling (ASL). In this proposed research, the FT-VS ASL will be applied to investigate the
relationship between CBVa and cognitive function. To pursue this line of research, Dr. Xu will aim to bridge the
gap between her engineering background and clinical dementia research through structured mentorship,
acquiring clinical training from conferences and seminars, and conducting mentored research on the association
between CBVa and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. The central
hypothesis is that CBVa will be higher among those with MCI and mild dementia and higher CBVa will be
associated with poorer cognitive performance. The hypothesis will be tested by pursuing three specific aims: (1)
To refine the FT-VS ASL method for measuring CBVa. (2) To compare group differences in multi-compartment
CBV (arterial vs total) among cognitively normal young and older (controls), individuals with MCI, and those with
mild AD dementia. Additionally, to determine the cross-sectional association between CBVa and cognitive
function in participants with normal cognition, MCI, and mild AD dementia. (3) To assess the association between
longitudinal changes in cognitive function and CBVa. Upon completion of this research, the expected outcomes
include the development of a robust non-invasive tool for quantifying regional CBVa. Furthermore, understanding
the association between CBVa and cognitive function will shed light on the vascular contribution to dementia.
These outcomes will form the foundation for a competitive R01 grant application, which will prepare Dr. Xu to
become an independent investigator examining the merit of CBVa as a biomarker for dementia in a large cohort
and comparing its efficacy with other biomarkers related to AD and related dementias (ADRD).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10886376
- **Project number:** 1K25AG083114-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Feng Xu
- **Activity code:** K25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $149,446
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-15 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10886376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10886376, Imaging Vascular Function in Normal Aging, MCI, and Mild Dementia (1K25AG083114-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10886376. Licensed CC0.

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