How different APOE types affect brain networks in Alzheimer's
Project 1: Differential Roles of ApoE Isoforms in Neural Network Dysfunction of Alzheimer's Disease
This project will learn how different versions of the APOE gene change brain network activity in people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166569 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will compare the effects of APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4 on brain cells and their connections using lab models and human genetic and clinical data. They will study how APOE types interact with amyloid-beta and tau to disrupt neural networks involved in memory and thinking. The team will combine genetic analyses, brain imaging, electrophysiology, and cellular and animal models and relate those results to human observations. The goal is to find network-level mechanisms that could point to better targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with Alzheimer's disease or individuals at genetic risk for Alzheimer's, particularly carriers of APOE ε4 or APOE ε2, who can provide clinical information or biospecimens.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's-related symptoms or genetic risk, and those seeking an immediate therapy, are unlikely to receive direct personal benefit from this basic-mechanism research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or strategies to protect brain networks and slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown links between APOE variants and Alzheimer's risk and altered brain function, but targeting the network-level interactions among APOE, amyloid, and tau is relatively new and has not yet produced proven therapies.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- J. David Gladstone Institutes — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Yadong — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Huang, Yadong
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.