Cell-specific plasticity pathways go wrong in Alzheimer's with amyloid buildup
Official title: Cell-specific plasticity pathway dysfunction as a result of amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11264899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how Alzheimer's disease affects brain plasticity at the level of specific cell types, especially in veterans with higher risk due to TBI/PTSD, to identify targets that could help restore brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006131-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who may have TBI/PTSD and related cognitive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Alzheimer’s pathology or those not participating in brain circuit tasks may not benefit.
What this research studies
Alzheimer’s disease disrupts brain circuits, and this study aims to map how cell-specific transcriptomic changes relate to plasticity problems in the disease. Using an established visual learning task (stimulus-selective response potentiation), researchers will examine how different brain cells respond as amyloid deposits accumulate. The work focuses on veterans, who have higher rates of AD and related cognitive decline, to reveal where interventions might help. Findings could point to precise cellular checkpoints for future therapies that restore neural function and slow decline. The study integrates human-relevant observations with molecular profiling to better understand disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could uncover specific cellular targets to restore brain connectivity and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's, especially in veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked cell-type-specific changes to Alzheimer’s pathology, but this project seeks to map these changes to plasticity deficits in a targeted way.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smirnakis, Stelios Manolis — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Smirnakis, Stelios Manolis
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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.