How gut inflammation affects Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Communicating Intestinal Inflammation to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of North Dakota · NIH-10875695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Forks, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $328,646 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG069378-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease or significant gastrointestinal conditions may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Combs, Colin K — University of North Dakota
- Study coordinator: Combs, Colin K
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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.