How brain immune cells (microglia) and the INPP5D gene affect Alzheimer's
Probing Heterogeneity of Alzheimer's Disease Using iPSCs
Researchers use patient-derived stem cells to learn how changes in a microglia gene called INPP5D may influence Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team takes blood or skin cells and turns them into stem cells that are then made into microglia, the brain's immune cells, to model Alzheimer's-related changes. They lower INPP5D activity using gene editing and drugs to see how microglia behavior and inflammatory pathways change. The researchers profile RNA and proteins and compare findings to human Alzheimer's brain samples to link lab results to the real disease. Their focus is on inflammasome activation and other immune signals that could drive brain damage in late‑onset Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with late‑onset Alzheimer's or older adults at increased genetic risk who can donate blood or skin samples for iPSC generation.
Not a fit: People with non‑Alzheimer dementias or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new immune-related targets for drugs that slow or change Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies using iPSC-derived microglia and gene editing have provided mechanistic insights into microglial roles in Alzheimer's, but translating these findings into treatments remains early.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young-Pearse, Tracy L — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Young-Pearse, Tracy 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.