Asthma as a clue: how systemic inflammation may lead to Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Investigating the mechanisms by which systemic inflammation promotes Alzheimer’s disease: Asthma as a model and modifiable risk factor
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11463250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores whether chronic inflammation from asthma helps drive Alzheimer’s-like brain changes and whether targeting these pathways could reduce dementia risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $733,254 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082215-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with asthma or other chronic inflammatory conditions and those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or ADRD who may participate in future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without inflammatory conditions or dementia risk factors may not directly benefit from this line of investigation.
What this research studies
This project looks at how inflammation from a common condition like asthma might influence the brain in a way that increases dementia risk later. Researchers will use animal and cellular models to map inflammatory pathways and how they connect to Alzheimer’s pathology. The goal is to identify precise mechanisms that could be targeted to delay or prevent cognitive decline in people with systemic inflammation. By focusing on a real, modifiable risk factor, the work aims to translate findings into potential interventions for at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets to delay or prevent dementia in people with systemic inflammatory diseases like asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown links between inflammation and dementia, but this project examines mechanistic pathways in asthma as a novel preclinical model.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosenkranz, Melissa a — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Rosenkranz, Melissa a
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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.