Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded $722,937 to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on June 1, 2026, under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) to support a five-year project investigating sex-specific cerebrovascular dysfunction in metabolic syndrome. The research will deliver scientific insights into the mechanisms underlying reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) in metabolic syndrome patients, with particular emphasis on identifying and characterizing sex-based differences in cerebrovascular function. The project employs advanced magnetic resonance imaging technology to examine subclinical changes in cerebrovascular function and will test cyclooxygenase (COX) as a potential vascular mechanism responsible for altered CBF regulation, hypothesizing that metabolic syndrome decreases CBF more significantly in females than males due to greater loss of COX-mediated vasodilation in women.

This research directly addresses a significant public health concern, as metabolic syndrome affects approximately 100 million American adults and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. By identifying early-stage cerebrovascular changes in metabolic syndrome prior to overt brain disease, the research aims to inform prevention and treatment strategies for cognitive and cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia in aging populations. The project's findings are expected to contribute to clinical understanding of how insulin resistance affects cerebrovascular health differently between sexes, potentially enabling earlier intervention and improved health outcomes.