To function properly, brain cells need a constant supply of nutrients such as oxygen delivered in blood through a network of vessels or vascular system. It is now known that low blood flow, which causes Vascular disease, occurs early in Alzheimer’s disease brain before memory loss. Risk factors, common to dementia, such as age, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can also disrupt the vascular system and blood flow. Using experimental models we are probing the underlying mechanisms by which low blood flow and risk factors may damage the brain causing memory loss and are identifying targets which may be amenable to intervention.