Creating a new imaging tool to detect specific immune cells in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Development of an amphiphilic PET probe to detect CD206+ microglia/macrophages in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10949738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new imaging tool that helps doctors see specific immune cells in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, which could help us understand how these cells affect the disease and how well new treatments might work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $455,009 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG089134-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk of developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel imaging probe that can identify CD206+ microglia and macrophages in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. By using a non-invasive method, the study aims to differentiate between the protective and harmful roles of these immune cells in Alzheimer's pathology. The approach involves creating a probe that can cross the blood-brain barrier and specifically target the anti-inflammatory macrophages, which are crucial for understanding disease progression and treatment response. This could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of new therapies aimed at modifying immune cell behavior in Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease by enabling better monitoring of immune cell activity in the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to study immune responses in neurological conditions, but this specific approach targeting CD206+ cells is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Cuihua — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wang, Cuihua
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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.