CSU Brain Research Center

06/04/2026

We have completed the first phase of our FAB (Feline Aging Blood) clinical trial - patient data collection! Our work would not be possible without the willingness of cat owners wishing to help find better treatments for feline, canine, and human age-related diseases!


CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Colorado State University

06/02/2026

🔬

Meet Dr. Paige Weiss, our Neurology Clinical Trials Intern!

Paige joined Colorado State University after earning her DVM from the University of Minnesota and completing a rotating internship at the University of Illinois, where she developed a strong interest in both neurology and emergency medicine. Her passion for neuroscience was further shaped through training in neuropathology during an externship at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

Over the past year, Paige has been an invaluable member of our team, helping care for clinical trial participants while contributing to the groundbreaking research we're doing. Whether she's assisting with study visits, supporting patient care, or learning the ins and outs of clinical research, Paige has brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and compassion to everything she does.

When she's not at the hospital, Paige enjoys training for long-distance races, hiking Colorado trails, and spending time with her rat terrier, King Louis the First. 🐾🏃‍♀️

We're grateful for everything Paige has contributed during her year with us and can't wait to see all the incredible things she'll accomplish in the future!

05/30/2026

Excited to be at the Firehydrant 5k today presented by to share our studies with dog lovers! We have some great prizes we're giving out and the expo is open to the public. Come visit us at Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins, we'll be here until 11!

05/29/2026

Finn is enrolled in two clinical trials with the CSU Brain Research Center! The BioRAD study is for all healthy, aging dogs over the age of 1 years old. He is also enrolled in the TRIAD - Neuro study through the Dog Aging Project. We adore Finn!

05/22/2026

🧠 Colorado researchers are working together to advance a new approach to brain cancer treatment — with help from dogs.

Our Brain Research Center team at Colorado State University is partnering with CU Anschutz researchers to study CAR-T cell therapy for glioma brain tumors in dogs. This work may ultimately help improve treatment options for both canine and pediatric brain cancer patients.

Dogs naturally develop gliomas that closely resemble those seen in humans, making them an important model for translational research. Through this clinical trial, researchers hope to better understand how CAR-T therapy may target these aggressive tumors.

We are currently enrolling dogs diagnosed with glioma tumors into this study.

Because participation requires multiple visits to Colorado, we are especially hoping to connect with local and regional families who may be interested in learning more.

All study treatments are FULLY COVERED, including radiation therapy. After the initial MRI, owners are not responsible for any costs associated with study treatments.

📩 For study information:
[email protected]

🔗 Learn more about the study and collaboration:
https://news.cuanschutz.edu/cancer-center/canine-clinical-trial-pediatric-brain-cancer

Help us test CAR T cells and verdinexor, a new chemotherapy for gliomas in dogs.

05/20/2026

Today, on Clinical Trials Day, we celebrate the incredible canine and feline patients, families, veterinarians, and researchers helping advance the future of brain health. 🧠🐾

Through clinical trials focused on epilepsy, brain tumors, and cognition, we’re working toward better treatments, improved quality of life, and more time with the dogs we love most and spend time with each day. Every patient brings us one step closer to new answers and new advancements with our four-legged friends! (Including Lucy!)

To every family who participates in research: thank you for helping shape the future of canine brain health. Your dog’s contribution matters more than you know.

Interested in a clinical trial or want more information? Contact us at [email protected]! We'd love to hear from you.

05/19/2026

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Meet KP (Kapahi Kawai Puaa), a PhD student helping advance our understanding of brain aging and neurodegenerative disease 🧠🐾

Originally from Hawai‘i, KP joined Colorado State University to pursue research focused on aging, neuroscience, and translational medicine. His work contributes to studies investigating how naturally aging dogs can help researchers better understand cognitive decline and neurologic disease across species.

We also recently welcomed KP's dog, Jake, into our TRIAD clinical trial, which is testing a new medication to see if we can help dogs live longer, happier lives!

As part of our Brain Research Center team, KP helps support research aimed at improving our understanding of how the brain changes with age and identifying biomarkers that may one day benefit both dogs and people.

We’re grateful to have KP (and Jake 🐾) as part of our team!

05/14/2026

🐾 Meet Gamble — one of the incredible dogs helping advance brain aging research at Colorado State University 🧠

This year, Gamble reached an exciting milestone: 5 years in our BioRAD study.

Over the past several years, Gamble has helped our team better understand how the brain changes with age through neurologic exams, cognitive testing, imaging, and routine study visits.

Research participants like Gamble play an essential role in helping scientists study aging, cognitive health, and neurologic disease in dogs — work that may ultimately help both dogs and people.

We’re incredibly grateful to Gamble and his family for their long-term commitment to this research and for being part of our journey.

Thank you, Gamble 🐾💚

05/06/2026

🐱 Now Enrolling: FAB (Feline Aging Blood) Study

As advances in medicine allow both people and pets to live longer, age-related brain diseases are becoming more common. However, we still don’t fully understand how these conditions develop or how to detect them early.

Our FAB Study is designed to better understand aging and immune function in cats by analyzing blood samples and identifying biomarkers associated with brain disease.

We are currently enrolling:
• Cats 12 years and older
• At least 8 lbs
• Overall healthy

Participation includes a visit to CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for an exam, surveys, and a blood draw. Appointments typically last 1–2 hours, and sedation may be used to minimize stress.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact:
📧 [email protected]

05/05/2026

🔬 Team Tuesday: Meet Jenn Van Vliet

Jenn Van Vliet is a Registered Veterinary Technician with the Neurology Clinical Trials team at Colorado State University and has been an important part of our program for over 3.5 years.

In her role, Jenn helps coordinate clinical research studies and supports study visits, working closely with both patients and their owners. Her work contributes to advancing our understanding of brain aging and neurologic disease in dogs.

Jenn’s connection to this research is also personal—she has seven dogs of her own, and Spencer, shown in the picture, is enrolled in our BioRAD study!

We’re grateful for her dedication and the role she plays in helping move this research forward!