Cell Treatment to Support Brain Cells in Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
Phase I Cell Therapy for Maintaining Cholinergic Circuits in the Spectrum of Alzheimer’s Disease
This project explores a new cell treatment to help preserve brain cells that are often lost in people with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson's disease with dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115681 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson's disease with dementia experience memory and thinking problems because certain brain cells, called cholinergic neurons, are damaged or lost. This project is testing a new approach that involves implanting a special type of cell tissue, taken from the patient's own body, into a specific area of the brain. The goal is to provide support for these important brain cells, hoping to stabilize or maintain their function. This is an early-stage clinical trial focused on understanding if this procedure is safe and feasible.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are already planning to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or are not candidates for DBS surgery would not be eligible for this specific cell treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a way to slow down or even stop the loss of crucial brain cells, potentially improving memory and thinking abilities for patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the research team has experience delivering similar cell tissues to other brain areas in prior clinical trials, this specific application to the nucleus basalis of Meynert for these dementias is an early-stage investigation.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerhardt, Greg a. — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Gerhardt, Greg a.
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.