Dietary strategies to protect against Alzheimer's disease linked to aging
Official title: Dietary protection against APOE4 phenotypes in aging and Alzheimer's
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11076733 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special diet that mimics fasting might help people with the APOE4 gene, which is linked to faster aging and Alzheimer's disease, by improving brain health and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $973,858 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084485-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076733 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who carry the APOE4 allele and are at risk for accelerated aging and Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the APOE4 allele or those who do not have concerns related to aging or Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific dietary interventions, particularly a fasting mimicking diet (FMD), can protect individuals with the APOE4 gene variant from accelerated aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). By studying the effects of FMD on mice that carry human APOE genotypes, the research aims to uncover how diet influences brain health and cognitive function. The study will explore mechanisms related to energy metabolism and inflammation that may contribute to age-related cognitive decline. Patients may benefit from insights into dietary changes that could mitigate their risk of developing AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide dietary guidelines that help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with the APOE4 genotype.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with dietary interventions in managing age-related conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pike, Christian J — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Pike, Christian J
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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.