DNA changes inside single brain cells in Alzheimer's
Mechanisms of Somatic Mutation in Alzheimer's Disease Using Single Neuron Analysis
This project looks for tiny DNA changes inside individual brain cells from people with Alzheimer's to understand how they might contribute to the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11242032 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a technology that reads the whole genome of single neurons taken from donated postmortem brain tissue. They will compare neurons from people with different stages of Alzheimer’s to see when and where DNA changes appear. The team will link those changes to tau protein buildup and look for mutation patterns that point to causes like oxidative stress. Results aim to map how these cell-level DNA changes relate to disease progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer’s (or their families) who are willing to arrange brain donation after death and share medical records.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment options or those who cannot or will not participate in brain donation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new biological causes of neuron damage in Alzheimer's that point to earlier diagnosis markers or new treatment targets.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work, including by this team, found more single-cell DNA mutations in Alzheimer’s neurons, but mapping the timing and specific causes with single-neuron whole-genome methods is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Michael B — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Miller, Michael B
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.