Exploring how diet and gut bacteria affect Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Dissecting connections between diet, the microbiome and Alzheimers disease
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11091857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how eating a lot of sugar might change the bacteria in our gut and how that could be linked to Alzheimer's disease, using tiny worms to see if changing their diet can help us understand more about this condition and find ways to improve it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,066 |
| NIH project number | 3R21AG084042-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are at risk for or have early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Alzheimer's disease who are not able to modify their diet or have other underlying health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between diet, particularly high sugar intake, the gut microbiome, and the development of Alzheimer's disease. It aims to understand how a sugar-rich diet may alter gut bacteria and contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's. Using a model organism, C. elegans, researchers will study the effects of dietary changes on microbiome composition and its subsequent impact on Alzheimer's-related symptoms. The findings could provide insights into dietary interventions that may help mitigate Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that help reduce the risk or severity of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results linking diet and the microbiome to cognitive health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tissenbaum, Heidi a — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Tissenbaum, Heidi a
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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.