R01NS120879

Advanced MRI Studies of Cerebrovascular and Lymphatic Abnormalities in LRRK2 Mouse Models of Parkinson's Disease - Abstract:

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease. Currently, there is no curative therapy. Clinical evaluation of PD has been limited to psychophysical assessment, which is subjective and uninformative with regard to brain neuropathological abnormalities. Developing biomarkers for early diagnostics and treatment evaluation is critical for disease prognosis.

PD cases display brain cerebrovascular, lymphatic system, and structural abnormalities which contribute to the loss of dopaminergic neurons and movement disorders. Small pial arteries and arterioles are the primary controls of local brain tissue perfusion for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to supply the metabolic needs of neurons and other cells, while lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in the clearance of waste products from brain tissues. The arterial pulsation wave from small blood vessels is the primary driving force for the fluid in lymphatic vessels and the perivascular space. Imbalance in the interaction between the two systems may have implications for PD pathogenesis.

We recently developed several new MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) techniques that can be used to measure brain cerebrovascular and lymphatic system abnormalities in both humans and animal models. We propose to test the hypothesis that abnormalities in brain microvascular and lymphatic vessels can be measured by novel MRI techniques through PD development and progression, and that those abnormalities can serve as potential indicators for pathogenic processes and treatment evaluation.

Mutations in LRRK2 (Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2) cause genetic PD and contribute to sporadic PD. We recently generated an LRRK2 mouse model that displayed a robust PD-like phenotype and provided an excellent model for MRI assessment. MRI measures can be validated with invasive techniques in LRRK2 mouse models using histological methods. The longitudinal study and therapeutic testing can be done in a relatively short time period in these mice. Our pilot study found that mutant G2019S-LRRK2 mice display cerebrovascular abnormalities. Thus, we propose to use new MRI methods to study brain pathophysiological changes in cerebrovascular and lymphatic vessels underlying PD using LRRK2 mouse models with or without MPTP (a toxin to speed disease progression) and lipopolysaccharide (a preinflammatory agent) challenge by combining behavioral testing and brain histochemical studies.

Aim 1. We will assess abnormalities in brain small blood vessels in LRRK2 mouse models.
Aim 2. We will assess abnormalities in the perivascular space and cerebral lymphatic vessels in the brain in LRRK2 mouse models.
Aim 3. We will characterize the abnormalities in the interactions between brain microvascular and lymphatic vessels and assess whether cerebrovascular and lymphatic measures can be used to evaluate treatment efficacy of L-DOPA, LRRK2 kinase, and GTP binding inhibitors.

These studies will advance our understanding of the neuropathological changes underlying PD pathogenesis, which may facilitate the development of biomarkers for diagnostics and PD intervention.

The Johns Hopkins University

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.853 - Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

Baltimore, Maryland 212051832 United States

Single Zip Code

NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-20-185)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 437% from $658,091 to $3,536,285.