How certain brain immune cells called microglia affect Alzheimer's
Role of Disease-Associated Microglia in Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether changing a specific kind of brain immune cell (disease-associated microglia) can change how Alzheimer's develops or responds to antibody therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234266 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are using a new mouse model that lets them specifically label or switch off a subtype of brain immune cell called disease-associated microglia (DAMs). They turn these cells on or off at different ages to see how that affects memory, behavior, brain inflammation, amyloid and tau buildup, and nerve cell health. The team will also look at what happens to these microglia after antibody-based therapies that target amyloid. The work aims to pinpoint whether DAMs help protect the brain or make damage worse, and whether targeting them could improve treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or AD-related dementia would be the eventual group who might benefit from treatments informed by this research.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or those whose dementia is caused by non-AD conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets in brain immune cells that lead to therapies slowing or modifying Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown microglia can influence plaques and neuron health, but using this new inducible system to target DAMs and test effects across disease stages is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Green, Kim — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Green, Kim
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.