Genetic and single-cell study of Alzheimer’s risk and resilience
Official title: Genetic and single-cell multi-omic characterization of Alzheimer's disease risk and resilience pathways
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11539245 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how genes and cell-level signals contribute to Alzheimer’s risk and resilience, using human brains and mouse models to find clues for therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG086583-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539245 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 65 years and older, including those with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and aging individuals for whom resilience mechanisms are of interest.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s if findings do not translate into therapies.
What this research studies
This project looks at why some people develop Alzheimer’s disease while others stay cognitively healthy as they age. It uses advanced single-cell and multi-omic analyses on healthy and Alzheimer’s brain tissue, along with mouse models, to map genetic risk factors to specific brain cell types and pathways. It also investigates how caloric restriction, a known aging-related intervention, might influence Alzheimer’s risk and resilience. By linking genetic variants to molecular changes across DNA, epigenetics, and RNA, the study aims to nominate variants and cells that drive disease and resilience. The findings could inform future strategies to delay or prevent progression of Alzheimer’s in people who carry risk genes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could identify personalized targets and strategies to reduce Alzheimer’s risk or slow progression in at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Similar multi-omic brain studies have begun to reveal how genetic risk factors act in specific brain cell types, with growing evidence of tractable targets.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'oliveira Albanus, Ricardo — Washington University
- Study coordinator: D'oliveira Albanus, Ricardo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Noncoding RNAs that help protect the brain in Alzheimer's
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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.