Brain m6A map in Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Transcriptome-wide mapping of brain m6A methylome in Alzheimer’s disease
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11418511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to map a common brain RNA modification (m6A) in people with Alzheimer’s disease to illuminate how this change might contribute to disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $786,683 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG095602-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related cognitive impairment for whom brain tissue samples or associated data are available for profiling.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those without Alzheimer’s pathology are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of South Florida will build a high-resolution map of m6A RNA modifications in the aging human brain and relate these patterns to Alzheimer’s pathology and cognitive decline. Using newly developed base-resolution profiling technologies, they will analyze brain tissue samples from individuals with Alzheimer’s to understand how m6A changes correlate with amyloid and tau pathology. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could point to new therapeutic targets for preventing or slowing Alzheimer’s progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain RNA changes linked to Alzheimer’s that may become targets for future treatments or diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown m6A alterations linked to cognitive traits and AD pathology in pilot analyses, suggesting this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Jinying — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Jinying
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.