Contact system and Alzheimer's disease: how it works and what it could mean for treatment
Official title: Contact System and Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanism and Therapeutic Potential
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11381014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a blood system called the contact system affects Alzheimer's disease and whether blocking it could help treat or enhance existing therapies.
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 start | April 15, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $844,508 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS102721-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381014 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who may provide samples or participate in studies related to blood-based biomarkers, if applicable.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the plasma contact system, including proteins HK and FXII, contributes to Alzheimer's disease by linking inflammation and blood vessel changes. Researchers will study how amyloid beta protofibrils activate the contact system and how this relates to brain pathology and cognition in mouse models and human samples. They will also test whether combining a contact system inhibitor with the amyloid-targeting drug lecanemab could have a stronger beneficial effect, and explore the molecular interactions driving these processes. The work aims to uncover mechanisms that could guide new treatments or improve existing ones for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that slow disease progression or enhance the effectiveness of current Alzheimer's treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in mice and human samples suggest the contact system may influence Alzheimer's pathology, with some therapies showing promise when combined with amyloid-targeting drugs.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strickland, Sidney — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Strickland, Sidney
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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.