Current Projects
The effects of added sugar intake on brain blood flow and hippocampal function in midlife adults
Funded by NIH Grant P20 GM113125
ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: NCT03482167
UD IRB#: 1760500
This project will determine how dietary intake of added sugars affects important markers of blood vessel health and brain function in midlife adults. The successful completion of this project has the potential to impact public health initiatives and reduce the risk of age-related memory loss by increasing efforts to limit the dietary intake of added sugar.
NAD+ therapy for improving memory & cerebrovascular function in patients with MCI
Funded by NIH Grant K01 AG504731
ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: NCT05211726
UD IRB#: 1079271
This study will provide insight into whether a new dietary supplement that mimics the beneficial effects of calorie restriction, reduces arterial stiffness, improves arterial function within the brain and restores brain function and memory in patients with “amnestic” mild cognitive impairment. Overall, this project has the potential to identify a novel, safe and cost-effective strategy for decreasing age-related memory loss.
The role of intracranial pressure on global brain stiffness and cognitive function in human aging
Funded by UD Research Foundation Grant #20A00976
UD IRB#: 1629318
Long-term increases in blood pressure and arterial stiffness over many decades are associated with neurodegenerative disease. Less is known about the acute influence of hemodynamic properties on brain tissue integrity and the short-term implications for memory encoding and recall. This project will experimentally manipulate intracranial pressure in humans using lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and will assess the corresponding effect on brain tissue viscoelastic properties memory performance in young and older adults.
Participate in this Study: email forvat@udel.edu
The effect of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on human T-cell metabolism and inflammation.
UD IRB#: 1753416
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with lower energy production in circulating immune cells. The loss of energy production can cause immune cell dysfunction, resulting in increased inflammation. Inflammation is harmful to blood vessels and can cause premature aging. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effects of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on energy production in immune cells, and how this will affect blood vessel function. The successful completion of this project can help influence public health initiatives to improve the health of our immune system and blood vessels.
Participate in this Study: email deconnet@udel.edu
Acute effects of acute added sugar intake on cerebrovascular function and brain integrity
UD IRB#: 1718585
Previous studies have shown that a single high-sugar meal can substantially increase triglycerides and uric acid, blood markers that are harmful for blood vessel function and brain health. This project aims to investigate these markers as well as markers of brain blood vessel function and overall brain health, following the consumption of a single high-sugar meal. The successful completion of this project has the potential to better inform clinical and nutritional guidelines to increase efforts to reduce daily dietary sugar intake for optimum brain health.
Participate in this Study: email fsanjana@udel.edu