Creating advanced brain models to speed up Alzheimer's drug development
Engineering Immuno-Glial-Neurovascular 3D-Brain-Chips with a Perfusable BBB for Accelerating Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery and Translation
This study is creating a special 3D model of the brain using cells from people with Alzheimer's to better understand the disease and test new treatments in a way that closely resembles how the human brain works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101414 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a sophisticated 3D brain model that mimics the human brain's structure and function, specifically targeting Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By using patient-specific stem cells, the researchers aim to recreate the complex interactions between different brain cell types and the blood-brain barrier, which are crucial for understanding AD pathology. The project employs innovative microfluidic technology to ensure that the model can simulate blood flow, allowing for more accurate testing of potential therapies. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of current models that do not fully represent human AD conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's Disease, particularly those carrying the APOE4 allele.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia or those without a genetic risk for Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Alzheimer's Disease by providing a better platform for drug discovery.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using advanced 3D models for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in Alzheimer's research.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stanton, Alice — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Stanton, Alice
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.