How APOE and brain immune cells affect tau buildup in Alzheimer’s
APOE and microglia-mediated progression in tau pathology in AD
This project looks at whether the APOE gene and brain immune cells change how tau protein spreads in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137712 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) and brain immune cells (microglia) to understand how they carry and spread tau protein that harms memory. They will compare EVs from Alzheimer’s brains with controls and use mouse models to test how APOE4 alters microglial activation and EV composition. Experiments include giving mice small amounts of human or mouse-derived EVs to see how tau propagates and doing molecular studies to find what makes EVs more harmful. The work also uses human brain tissue and other biospecimens, so donations of samples can help link lab findings to people with Alzheimer’s.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer’s disease or donors who can provide brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or other biospecimens, especially when their APOE status is known.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer’s or those unwilling to donate samples or travel to the research center are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to block tau spread and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown microglia and EVs help tau spread, but connecting APOE-driven microglial changes to more harmful EVs is a newer and less-tested angle.
Where this research is happening
Jacksonville, United States
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Jacksonville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ikezu, Tsuneya — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Ikezu, Tsuneya
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.