Monday, February 16, 2026 2/16/2026

Elucidating the role of placental growth factor in diffuse white matter disease

Award Number: R01NS116990
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Elucidating the role of placental growth factor in diffuse white matter disease - Abstract Diffuse white matter disease (DWD) is a common manifestation of small-vessel cerebrovascular pathology and a key subtype of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). However, the mechanistic underpinnings of DWD remain incompletely characterized. Based on assessment of extensive data in humans and animal models, we have identified angiogenic mediators, in particular placental growth factor (PlGF), as being strongly associated with diffuse white matter disease. Much like the pathologic angiogenesis that occurs in retinopathies, pathologic angiogenesis in the brain results in blood-brain barrier leakage and, counterintuitively, tissue ischemia. We have exciting preliminary data indicating robust relationships between PlGF and human DWD. We have also identified PlGF as being increased in association with blood-brain barrier leakage. We hypothesize that PlGF, and related angiogenic mediators, result in pathologic angiogenesis, with leaky, tortuous vessels and surrounding inflammation, leading to diffuse white matter disease. Importantly, these pathologic changes also represent a potentially targetable mechanism to improve cognition in aging. To test these hypotheses, we propose focused studies in an extensively characterized human cohort, and a mouse model of small vessel disease. We answer the “what, where, why” questions surrounding PlGF. “What” cell type is responsible for PlGF; “where” is PlGF being expressed; “why” is PlGF upregulated and can it be modulated. To test these hypotheses, we propose focused studies in an extensively characterized human autopsy cohort, and a mouse model of small vessel disease: Specific Aim 1: Determine contributions to plasma PLGF, and related angiogenic proteins, using cell- specific exosomes and their association with periventricular and deep white matter pathologies. Specific Aim 2: Ascertain the regional expression of PLGF, and related angiogenic proteins, within, adjacent to, and distant from, periventricular and DWD and the association with aberrant angiogenesis. Specific Aim 3: Test the potential to manipulate PLGF related small vessel pathology in response to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-induced small vessel disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	2/12/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $601,832 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	003	6	5/1/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$60,182
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	6	3/5/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$541,650
2024	2023	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	5	11/29/2023	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$482,202
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	11/28/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$482,202
														Subtotal = $601,832

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $585,639 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	5/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$585,639
														Subtotal = $585,639

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $697,777 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	3/28/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$697,777
														Subtotal = $697,777

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $716,156 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	3/30/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$716,156
														Subtotal = $716,156

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $741,549 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY	500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	3/25/2020	NEW	$741,549
														Subtotal = $741,549

Grand Total All Awards = $3,342,953

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Elucidating the role of placental growth factor in diffuse white matter disease

Award Number: R01NS116990

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer