Developing drugs to target proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease

Targeting AbcA1 and Ldlr production for the Discoveryof Alzheimer's disease Drugs

NIH-funded research California State University Fresno · NIH-11059218

This study is looking at how certain proteins affect Alzheimer's disease and aims to create new small molecules that can help boost good proteins while lowering harmful ones, with the goal of reducing brain plaque buildup, and it's being tested in lab-grown human brain cells.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCalifornia State University Fresno NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Fresno, United States)
Project IDNIH-11059218 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, by investigating the roles of specific proteins, including Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) and Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR). The researchers aim to create small organic molecules that can enhance the production of beneficial proteins like AbcA1 and LDLR while reducing harmful levels of ApoE. By doing so, they hope to decrease the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study involves laboratory experiments using human brain cell lines to test the effectiveness of these compounds.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with genetic predispositions such as the APOE4 allele.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those who do not carry the APOE4 allele may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's patients, potentially slowing disease progression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways for Alzheimer's treatment, indicating that this approach could be a viable avenue for developing new therapies.

Where this research is happening

Fresno, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.