A brain-boosting peptide to help people at risk of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: PNA5: A Novel Mas Receptor Agonist for Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in Patients at Risk for Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementia: an FDA required Toxicology Study
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11396379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug-like peptide (PNA5) is being studied to reduce brain inflammation and improve blood flow in people at risk for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's-related dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,925,487 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AG082617-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for vascular cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias who may be eligible for a future Phase 2 trial.
✕Less likely to help
Given the early toxicology nature, results may not yet indicate personal cognitive improvement.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one are at risk for vascular cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s-related dementia, this project tests a promising anti-inflammatory peptide called PNA5 that can reach the brain. The study will complete long-term safety work required by the FDA to prepare for a future Phase 2 trial. Researchers at the University of Arizona will examine how PNA5 behaves in the body and whether it can safely reduce brain inflammation and support blood flow in people at risk for VCID/ADRD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clear the path for a therapy to slow cognitive decline in people at risk for VCID and ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research supports the link between brain inflammation, blood flow and dementia risk, with ongoing work exploring anti-inflammatory brain-penetrant peptides.
Where this research is happening
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University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hay, Meredith — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Hay, Meredith
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Scale-up of a peptide therapy to help brain blood flow and inflammation in people at risk for Alzheimer’s-related dementias
A small US-based project will scale up manufacturing of a new peptide medicine (PNA5) intended to help people at risk for Alzheimer’s-related dementia and vascular dementia by improving brain blood flow and reducing inflammation.
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PNA5 — a new Mas receptor medicine to protect thinking in people at risk for vascular and Alzheimer's-related dementia
Seeing whether the anti-inflammatory peptide PNA5 can be safely developed to help people with mild cognitive impairment who are at risk for vascular dementia or Alzheimer's-related dementia.
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A new treatment for cognitive impairment related to vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease
This study is testing a new treatment called PNA5 that could help improve thinking and memory for people at risk of dementia by reducing inflammation and boosting blood flow to the brain, making sure it's safe before moving on to the next steps.
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Global picture of dementia risk and memory loss across the world
A large international effort gathers data from many studies to understand how dementia and memory problems develop around the world, using shared information to reveal patterns and risk factors.
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PNA5 for VCID and Alzheimer's Dementias: A first-in-human safety study
A first-in-human trial tests a new drug, PNA5, to see if it is safe and tolerable for adults with vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's-related dementias.
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Global picture of dementia and Alzheimer’s risk across populations
A large international effort gathers health data from many cohorts to understand what increases or lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease around the world.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.