AD connectivity maps from patient-derived brain cells to help find quicker treatments
Official title: Develop AD Connectivity Maps with Human iPSC-Derived Brain Cells and their Use
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11333756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project uses stem cell-derived brain cells from people with Alzheimer's to map how their brain connections form, aiming to spot new ways to treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $943,826 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078164-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, especially those with APOE4 risk factors, could benefit from future therapies informed by these maps.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Alzheimer’s risk factors or those not eligible for related trials may not gain direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create brain cell models from human iPSCs that carry Alzheimer’s risk genes, then map the connectivity patterns to understand how networks differ in AD. Researchers will compare healthy and risk-variant cells to identify disrupted connections and key pathways. The goal is to reveal targets for therapy and to explore how existing drugs might be repurposed for AD. The work combines cellular models with computational analysis to translate findings toward patient-relevant outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could speed up the identification of new treatment options and repurposed drugs for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies using patient-derived cells have shown that network mapping can reveal disease-relevant targets, though direct clinical translation remains ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Yadong — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Huang, Yadong
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.