DARC's role in brain inflammation and Alzheimer's
DARC, Inflammaging and Alzheimer's Disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · NIH-11299510
This research looks at whether the DARC protein affects age-related brain inflammation and memory loss in people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11299510 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team is studying a protein called DARC that helps control inflammatory signals in the blood and brain. They use animal models that lack or overproduce DARC to see how that changes brain inflammation and memory in an Alzheimer's model, and they look at human DARC gene differences that vary by ancestry. The researchers measure inflammatory molecules, brain changes, and behavior in mice and compare those findings to human genetic and tissue data to understand how DARC might protect the aging brain. If human samples or data are used, they would connect the lab findings to patterns seen in people with and without Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 or older with Alzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive decline, or increased Alzheimer's risk would be most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are caused by non-inflammatory conditions or who are far from Alzheimer's risk may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to reduce brain inflammation and protect thinking and memory in people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies show that changing DARC levels alters inflammation and memory, suggesting promising but still early evidence for this approach in Alzheimer’s.
Where this research is happening
AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES
- AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY — AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LU, XIN-YUN — AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LU, XIN-YUN
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.