How APOE gene types and mitochondrial fats shape brain aging and Alzheimer's
Impact of Mitochondrial Lipidomic Dynamics and its Interaction with APOE Isoforms on Brain Aging and Alzheimers Disease
This work looks at how different APOE gene versions and specific mitochondrial lipids change with brain aging and Alzheimer's, especially for people carrying APOE4.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone concerned about Alzheimer's, I understand researchers will compare mitochondrial lipid profiles in brain samples from people with different APOE types and use advanced 3-D imaging and lipid analyses to map these changes. They will focus on differences between synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondria and combine multi-omics data to connect lipid alterations to neuronal damage. The team will use human postmortem brain tissue alongside cellular, organoid, and animal models to pinpoint lipid species that may drive APOE4-related neurodegeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known APOE genotypes (especially APOE4 carriers) or individuals/families willing to donate brain tissue or other biospecimens would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Those without APOE-related risk or patients seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to gain direct short-term benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal lipid-based markers or targets linked to APOE4 that lead to new diagnostic tools or treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related multi-omics and lipid studies have previously linked APOE4 to lipid disturbances in Alzheimer's, but detailed mitochondrial lipid signatures are a newer and less-tested area.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ling — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Li, Ling
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.