Creating specialized immune cells to target Alzheimer's disease
Official title: In Vivo Production of CAR-Microglia for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11031008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease that uses special immune cells to help clear harmful plaques from the brain, and it’s looking for patients to join trials to see how safe and effective this approach can be.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $613,571 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AG090388-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, particularly those in the early to moderate stages of the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those with other forms of dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by producing specialized immune cells called CAR-microglia that can effectively target and clear amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. The approach involves using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology to enhance the ability of microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, to recognize and eliminate these harmful plaques. By improving the microglial response to amyloid-beta, the research aims to slow down or potentially reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of this innovative therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking treatment that significantly slows or halts the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR technology has shown promise in cancer treatment, its application in Alzheimer's disease is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Jun — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Huang, Jun
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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.