Early Alzheimer's effects on the brain system that shapes emotions and bodily feelings
An animal model of early Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis in the interoceptive-allostatic network
Using a monkey model, researchers introduce small Alzheimer-related proteins to learn how they harm the brain circuits that control emotions and internal bodily signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297720 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses middle-aged rhesus monkeys and delivers toxic amyloid-beta oligomers believed to appear early in Alzheimer’s disease. The team tracks changes in thinking and emotional behavior while measuring synapse loss, neuroinflammation, and protein buildup in brain regions that generate feelings and regulate the body's internal state. The focus is on the interoceptive-allostatic network, a set of brain hubs that shape affect and bodily awareness. Results aim to mirror the earliest steps of human Alzheimer’s pathogenesis to inform future human-focused studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for follow-up human work would be people with very early Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who are willing to share symptom information or biological samples.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or those with late-stage disease are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this animal-based project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal early brain changes that explain emotional and bodily symptoms in Alzheimer's and point to targets for earlier diagnosis or new therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical work, including studies in nonhuman primates, has shown that amyloid-beta oligomers can damage synapses and trigger inflammation, but translating these findings into effective human treatments is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bliss-Moreau, Eliza — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Bliss-Moreau, Eliza
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.