How gut inflammation affects Alzheimer's disease

Communicating Intestinal Inflammation to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease

NIH-funded research University of North Dakota · NIH-10875695

This study is looking at how inflammation in the gut might affect brain health in people with Alzheimer's, and it aims to find out if treating gut inflammation can help improve memory and thinking skills for those with the disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of North Dakota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Grand Forks, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875695 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the connection between gut inflammation and Alzheimer's disease by exploring how inflammation in the intestines may influence brain health. Using a mouse model of Alzheimer's, the study aims to understand how chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease can worsen Alzheimer's symptoms. The researchers will test therapies that target intestinal inflammation to see if they can improve memory and cognitive function. This approach could reveal new treatment strategies for Alzheimer's patients by focusing on gut health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk for developing it, particularly if they also have gastrointestinal issues.

Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease or significant gastrointestinal conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients by addressing gut health.

How similar studies have performed: While the connection between gut health and brain function is being explored, this specific approach using intestinal inflammation in Alzheimer's models is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Grand Forks, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.