Creating a blood-based treatment to mimic exercise for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Developing blood-based exercise mimetic as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Funded at Ceiba Bio INC. · NIH-11008078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to create a blood treatment that can help improve thinking and memory for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, especially for those who can't exercise, by focusing on a special protein that has shown promise in helping brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ceiba Bio INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $509,038 |
| NIH project number | 1R41AG090238-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a blood-based treatment that mimics the cognitive benefits of exercise for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The approach focuses on a specific protein, Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase D1 (Gpld1), which has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and reducing Alzheimer's-related symptoms in animal models. By increasing levels of Gpld1 in the blood, the researchers hope to provide a therapeutic option for patients who are unable to engage in physical exercise due to limitations. The study will involve identifying effective recombinant human Gpld1 molecules and testing their efficacy in improving cognitive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option that enhances cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients without requiring physical exercise.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exercise can improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients, but this approach of using a blood-based treatment is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Ceiba Bio INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Zhaoqing — Ceiba Bio INC.
- Study coordinator: Ding, Zhaoqing
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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.