Does a common CLU gene change (rs11136000) affect Alzheimer's risk?
Define the effect of CLU SNP on the risk to Alzheimer's disease
This project looks at whether a common change in the CLU gene (rs11136000) helps raise the chance of Alzheimer's by studying patient-derived brain cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will make human brain-like cells from patient blood or skin using two approaches: stem-cell reprogramming and direct conversion that preserves signs of aging. They will compare cells from people who carry the CLU rs11136000 C allele with cells from people who do not, and will consider APOE genotypes like APOE-e4. The team aims to see how the CLU variant changes cellular features linked to Alzheimer's pathology and how it interacts with other genetic risk factors. These human cell models are intended to complement animal work and better reflect age-related changes seen in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer's or older adults (with known or testable CLU/APOE genetic status) who are willing to donate blood or a small skin sample for cell reprogramming.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment effects or those unwilling/unable to provide biological samples should not expect direct personal benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify how a common genetic variant increases Alzheimer's risk and point to new targets for future treatments or tests.
How similar studies have performed: Other teams have used patient-derived iPSCs and direct reprogramming to reproduce some Alzheimer's features, but applying these methods specifically to the CLU rs11136000 risk variant is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Yanhong — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Shi, Yanhong
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.