Better SHIP1-targeting medicines for Alzheimer's disease
Optimization of SHIP1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Developing improved drugs that target SHIP1 to help people with Alzheimer's by boosting brain immune cells to clear toxic proteins and lower inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251248 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to develop and optimize small-molecule inhibitors of SHIP1, a protein that limits the activity of microglia, the brain's immune cells. In lab studies they will test these compounds in cells and animal models that mimic Alzheimer's disease to see whether the drugs help microglia clear amyloid and reduce inflammation. The team will measure genetic, biochemical, and biomarker changes, and may use imaging to track effects on amyloid and tau-related pathology. If results are promising, the best compounds could advance toward safety testing and eventual clinical trials in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's could be candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer's or types of dementia not driven by amyloid or microglial dysfunction are less likely to benefit from SHIP1-targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent Alzheimer's by improving microglial clearance of toxic proteins and lowering harmful brain inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Human genetics and preclinical studies targeting microglial pathways such as TREM2 are encouraging, but direct SHIP1 inhibition is a relatively new approach with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richardson, Timothy I — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Richardson, Timothy I
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.