APOE variants and Alzheimer’s disease: uncovering protective mechanisms
Official title: Biology and Pathobiology of APOE in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease 2.0
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11418796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH-funded effort at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is studying how different forms of APOE may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory problems, with the goal of guiding new therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $4,639,242 |
| NIH project number | 2U19AG069701-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418796 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or age-related cognitive decline may benefit from future therapies developed from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s risk factors or those not studying APOE-related biology may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project brings together scientists from several institutions to explore how APOE variants influence brain health as we age. Researchers will examine the structure, chemistry, and interactions of protective APOE variants and how they alter processes like lipid transport and cell signaling. The work aims to connect these molecular insights to why some people develop Alzheimer’s dementia later in life and how we might prevent it. By combining laboratory experiments with analyses of human biology, the team hopes to identify targets for therapies that reduce age-related cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new strategies to prevent or slow Alzheimer's-related memory problems by targeting APOE-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown APOE variants influence AD risk, with ongoing work validating protective mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kanekiyo, Takahisa — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Kanekiyo, Takahisa
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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.