Genetic modifiers of APOE-related Alzheimer’s risk and microglial function
Official title: Project 4 (Genetic modifiers for APOE-associated Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis)
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11418805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team is studying why APOE gene variants affect Alzheimer's risk by looking for genetic modifiers and how they change brain immune cell behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $454,090 |
| NIH project number | 2U19AG069701-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with APOE-related risk factors or early signs of AD, and patients contributing iPSC-derived cells for research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without APOE risk variants or those not contributing cells or data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests how APOE-related genetic differences influence Alzheimer’s disease risk by studying human iPSC-derived microglia and their interactions with neurons and astrocytes. Researchers will combine large genetic studies with lab experiments to see how protective APOE variants alter microglial functions like cleanup of dead cells and cholesterol processing. The work aims to reveal mechanisms that could explain why some people with risky APOE forms develop dementia later or not at all, and how these pathways might be targeted in patients. The study uses patient-derived cells and advanced genomic tools to connect genetic variation to cellular behavior relevant to AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these modifiers could lead to new therapies that slow or prevent Alzheimer’s progression in people with APOE risk factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked APOE to microglial function, but exact modifiers and mechanisms remain to be fully defined.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goate, Alison M — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Goate, Alison M
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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.