Helping protective CAR T immune cells last longer in the brain to fight Alzheimer's
Enhanced persistence of CAR Tregs in the CNS for Alzheimer’s disease therapy
This project develops a new cell therapy to keep anti-inflammatory CAR regulatory T cells working in the brains of people with Alzheimer's to reduce inflammation and help clear damaging amyloid.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239017 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will engineer regulatory T cells (Tregs) with a chimeric antigen receptor so they specifically target Alzheimer’s-related proteins in the brain. They will add features to these CAR Tregs to help them survive and remain active longer inside the central nervous system. The modified cells will be tested in laboratory and animal models to see if they reduce brain inflammation, lower amyloid levels, and protect neurons. Findings will determine whether this approach is ready to move toward safety testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual clinical testing would be people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's who have evidence of amyloid pathology.
Not a fit: People with very advanced dementia, non‑Alzheimer's forms of dementia, or serious medical conditions that prevent immunotherapy may be unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower harmful brain inflammation and help remove amyloid, potentially slowing memory loss and disease progression.
How similar studies have performed: Modulating regulatory T cells has shown promise in animal models of neuroinflammation, but CAR Treg therapy for Alzheimer's is largely experimental and has not yet proven effective in humans.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sentman, Charles L. — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Sentman, Charles L.
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.