How healthy blood stem cells might help in Alzheimer's
Official title: Understanding the mechanism of rescue of Alzheimers disease by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11295487 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using a mouse model of Alzheimer's to test whether transplanting healthy blood-forming stem cells can prevent memory loss and brain damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $395,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG086443-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11295487 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or those at high genetic risk (for example with APP/PSEN1 mutations) would be the most likely future candidates for related clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with very advanced Alzheimer's, other types of dementia, or those medically ineligible for stem cell transplantation are unlikely to benefit directly from this line of research in the short term.
What this research studies
Scientists work with a well-established mouse model that carries human Alzheimer-related genes and give the animals healthy hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. They track memory and behavior, measure amyloid plaque levels, monitor inflammation and blood–brain barrier integrity, and follow how transplanted cells take on microglia-like roles in the brain. The team uses genomic tools such as ATAC-seq and cellular tracing to understand which cell types and gene programs are responsible for the strong benefit seen in earlier experiments. Their goal is to pin down the mechanism so the approach can be translated toward human therapies in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the mechanism is confirmed, this work could point to new stem-cell–based or microglia-targeting therapies that slow or prevent Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in the same mouse model showed dramatic rescue of memory and pathology after transplanting healthy HSPCs, but this approach has not yet been proven safe or effective in people.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherqui, Stephanie — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Cherqui, Stephanie
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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.