How genes and the environment together affect Alzheimer's risk
AD GxE: In vivo and in vitro modeling of gene x environment interactions
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11187107
Researchers will use donated cells to see how common genetic differences change brain-cell responses to air pollution, lead, and infection-like exposures for people at risk of Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11187107 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You may be asked to donate a small blood or skin sample that researchers will turn into stem cells and grow into tiny "mini-brains" called organoids. Those organoids will be exposed in the lab to things like fine air pollution particles, lead, or infection mimics while scientists read activity in individual brain cells. By comparing organoids from about 100 different donors, the team will look for genetic differences that make some cells more vulnerable or resilient to those exposures. They will also mix cells from multiple donors to see which donors' cells survive harmful exposures, linking donor genetics to cell survival.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people willing to donate a blood or skin sample and share basic health and genetic information, including older adults or those with a family history of Alzheimer's.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments or symptom relief should not expect direct benefit, because the project is lab-based and aims to inform future research over the long term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify gene-environment combinations that raise Alzheimer's risk and point to prevention strategies or new targets for treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Using human stem-cell organoids and single-cell genetic analyses is an emerging approach with promising early results, but applying it to gene-by-environment effects in Alzheimer's is still novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STEIN, JASON LOUIS — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: STEIN, JASON LOUIS
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's disease risk