Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
Official title: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia-like Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Virus-Host Interactome, Neuropathobiology, and Drug Repurposing
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11457086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how COVID-19 may contribute to dementia by studying brain inflammation, blood vessel injury, and virus-host interactions, with the goal of finding existing drugs that could help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $780,748 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082211-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, including those with COVID-19 exposure or infection.
✕Less likely to help
People without any dementia risk or brain involvement related to COVID-19 may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with human brain cells and how these interactions might drive Alzheimer’s–like dementia symptoms. They will use patient-derived cells and brain data to map virus-host connections and identify pathways that could be targeted by drugs that are already approved for other uses. The study combines biology, genomics, and pharmacology to understand mechanisms in a way that could lead to repurposed therapies for people affected by COVID-19–related cognitive decline. If successful, findings could point to treatments that protect brain cells and microvasculature after infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer path to repurposed drugs that might protect or improve brain function in people who have had COVID-19 and are at risk for dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows SARS-CoV-2 can cause brain inflammation and vascular injury, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights, though direct clinical benefit remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
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Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Feixiong — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Feixiong
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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.