A new treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease using a special protein that can enter the brain.
Official title: A Brain Penetrating Bi-functional Transferrin Receptor Antibody-TNF-alpha Decoy Receptor Fusion Protein for Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Chapman University · NIH-10833042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease that uses a special protein designed to cross into the brain and tackle multiple problems related to the condition, aiming to help improve care for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chapman University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orange, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $245,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG062840-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10833042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who may benefit from innovative therapeutic strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or those who do not have a confirmed diagnosis may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease by developing a fusion protein that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The protein combines a decoy receptor for TNF-α, which is involved in the disease's pathology, with an antibody that helps transport it into the brain. By targeting multiple aspects of Alzheimer's disease rather than a single pathological event, this approach aims to improve treatment outcomes. The study focuses on the effectiveness of this brain-penetrating protein in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease that addresses multiple disease mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches targeting the blood-brain barrier have been explored, this specific method of using a TNF-α decoy receptor fusion protein is novel and has not been previously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Chapman University
Orange, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sumbria, Rachita — Chapman University
- Study coordinator: Sumbria, Rachita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.