Blood contact-system proteins as targets in Alzheimer's disease
Contact System and Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanism and Therapeutic Potential
Researchers are testing whether blocking specific blood proteins and combining that approach with the antibody lecanemab can reduce brain inflammation and memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194278 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team will study blood samples from people with Alzheimer's and experiments in mice and lab models to see how amyloid protofibrils activate blood contact-system proteins (high molecular weight kininogen and factor XII). They will test whether inhibiting those proteins improves brain pathology and thinking in mouse models and explore whether adding lecanemab boosts benefits. The project also examines how the amyloid protofibrils physically interact with these blood proteins at the molecular level to understand the mechanism. Findings will guide whether targeting the contact system might complement existing amyloid-directed treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, especially those in earlier stages or those eligible for amyloid antibody treatment such as lecanemab.
Not a fit: People without amyloid-driven Alzheimer's or those in very advanced late-stage disease may be less likely to benefit from approaches focused on the contact system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce inflammation and protect memory by targeting blood contact-system proteins, possibly improving outcomes for people with Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies showed that blocking the contact system improved pathology and cognition, and lecanemab has shown benefit in human trials, but combining these approaches is a new strategy.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Rockefeller University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strickland, Sidney — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Strickland, Sidney
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.