How increased neuron growth could help memory in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Plasticity circuits in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11449441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how immature neurons in a brain area important for memory contribute to Alzheimer's symptoms and whether boosting their growth or activity could improve memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 15, 2009 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $664,392 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AG033570-13A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment in the early stages, potentially contributing to future translational studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Results derived from animal models may not directly benefit patients in the short term, and the approach may not be applicable to all forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
What this research studies
This project studies how immature neurons in the dentate gyrus interact with entorhinal cortex inputs and how their decreased recruitment may contribute to memory problems in Alzheimer's disease. Previous work suggests that enhancing neurogenesis and activating immature neurons can restore memory-related processes in AD-model mice. The researchers will examine neuron activity during learning and test whether increasing neurogenesis improves memory circuit function. The study uses animal models to explore a potential approach that could translate to future therapies for people with Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new strategies to restore memory by boosting or activating immature neurons in the hippocampal network affected by Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies in AD-model mice showed that promoting neurogenesis and activating immature neurons can restore memory function, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazarov, Orly — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Lazarov, Orly
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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.