Exploring how viral infections affect Alzheimer's disease and brain inflammation
Official title: Investigating the interactions between viral infection, Tau pathology, and neuroinflammation
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-10746267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how viral infections might affect the brain and contribute to Alzheimer's disease, using mice to see how these infections can change a protein linked to the disease, with the hope of learning more about how the immune system plays a role in Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,281,004 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG084104-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10746267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with a history of viral infections or neuroinflammatory conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between viral infections and Alzheimer's disease, focusing on how these infections may contribute to neuroinflammation and Tau pathology in the brain. Using a mouse model, the study will examine how viral infections can lead to changes in Tau protein, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers aim to understand the mechanisms behind these interactions, which could provide insights into the role of the immune system in Alzheimer's progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting viral infections and neuroinflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Funk, Kristen Emily — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Funk, Kristen Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Amyloid and HIV: How aging with HIV shapes Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level
Researchers are studying how aging people with HIV accumulate Alzheimer’s–related brain changes, to understand who might benefit from future therapies.
-
Placental responses to maternal viral infection shape sex-specific offspring immunity
A mother’s viral infection during pregnancy can change how her baby’s immune system develops, potentially making some babies more prone to infections after birth.
-
Gut bacteria and lung immune cells shape viral lung infections
A study explores how gut microbes affect lung immune cells and severity of respiratory viral infections to identify potential ways to reduce illness.
-
Restoring helper CD4 T cells to help control chronic viral infections
A research project tests a strategy to revive CD4 Th1 helper T cells to better control chronic viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B/C in people who need improved immune control.
-
Screening small medicines to block RSV in baby and adult airway cells
A small study tests whether certain drugs can block age-related signals in respiratory cells to stop RSV infection in infants and young children.
-
Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Researchers are studying why some people’s lungs stay damaged after severe viral infections like COVID-19 and how to stop this scarring from getting worse.
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.