Creating a treatment to prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease using a growth hormone blocker
Official title: Development of a Growth Hormone Receptor antagonist for the delay or prevention of ADRD
Funded at Molecular Technologies Laboratories LLC · NIH-11062348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help prevent or slow down Alzheimer's disease by targeting a hormone that affects brain health, inspired by older people who seem to resist dementia, and it hopes to find out if lowering this hormone can help improve memory and protect against cognitive decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Molecular Technologies Laboratories LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,594 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AG085916-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults, particularly those with a family history of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Alzheimer's disease or those with advanced stages of dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment that targets the growth hormone signaling pathway to prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It is based on findings from centenarians who show resilience to dementia and carry genetic variants that lower growth hormone activity. The study will explore how reducing growth hormone levels can protect against cognitive decline and improve memory in both animal models and potentially in humans. By understanding the mechanisms behind this protection, the research aims to identify innovative therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking treatment that significantly delays or prevents the onset of Alzheimer's disease in at-risk populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in using similar approaches to target growth hormone signaling for cognitive protection, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Molecular Technologies Laboratories LLC
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brody, Richard S — Molecular Technologies Laboratories LLC
- Study coordinator: Brody, Richard S
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.