Atlas of brain cells most affected by Alzheimer's disease
Atlas for neuronal and glial cell types selectively vulnerable to proteinopathies during progression of Alzheimer's Disease
Creating a clear map of which nerve cells and support cells are hit hardest by Alzheimer's to help people living with or at risk for the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11078235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will map neurons and glial (support) cells in different brain regions to see which kinds are most vulnerable to abnormal Alzheimer's proteins like tau and amyloid. Researchers will use advanced lab methods on brain tissue and molecular data to compare stages of disease and differences by age and sex. The team will combine imaging, single-cell molecular profiles, and other data to build a multimodal atlas showing when and where cells degenerate during Alzheimer's progression. The goal is to reveal patterns that explain why some brain areas fail early while others remain spared.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those at high genetic risk (for example APOE carriers) could be relevant for related tissue donation, clinical data sharing, or future trials informed by this work.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's-related symptoms or those expecting an immediate new therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the atlas could point to new targets for diagnostics or treatments that protect the most vulnerable brain cells.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have identified some vulnerable cell types, but this multimodal, region-by-region atlas is broader and builds on but goes beyond existing work.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, UNITED STATES
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Kuo-Fen — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Lee, Kuo-Fen
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.