Age-related gene switches and Alzheimer's risk
Epigenetic Regulation in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at whether age-related changes in gene control in the brain and drugs that reverse them (HDAC inhibitors) could slow or prevent Alzheimer's in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238036 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be told this research examines how chemical tags on DNA-packaging proteins change with age and whether those changes promote Alzheimer's. The team maps histone modifications in mouse models at three life stages and compares them with human postmortem brain tissue from people with and without Alzheimer's. They use APP/PS1 mice to see if the epigenetic changes lead to disease-like brain changes and test whether histone-deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor drugs can reverse those changes. The work aims to connect basic lab findings to possible targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults (typically 65+) including people with Alzheimer's or age-matched healthy elders who could provide postmortem brain donation or be eligible for related future clinical trials.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or younger individuals without age-related risk factors are unlikely to get direct benefits from this preclinical and tissue-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer's by correcting age-related gene regulation changes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and lab studies have shown that epigenetic changes and HDAC inhibitors can improve memory and reduce disease markers in models, but this approach is not yet proven in people.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Hongxin — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Dong, Hongxin
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 below.