How lead exposure and genes may speed brain aging and raise Alzheimer's risk
Elucidate Gene-environmental interactions employed by Pb in promoting ADRD in aging brains
This project tests whether early-life lead exposure together with genetic factors speeds brain aging and increases Alzheimer's risk in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187117 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll hear that researchers will use human-derived neurons and specially engineered mouse-brain models to recreate how developmental lead (Pb) exposure affects aging brain cells. They will introduce specific genetic changes into these human neurons and sort cells that form tau clumps to see which genes amplify lead's effects. The team will track age-related epigenetic markers and other signs of cell aging to measure the brain cells' biological 'age'. The goal is to identify genetic risk factors that make lead exposure more likely to cause Alzheimer's-like changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people willing to donate biological samples or those with a history of early-life lead exposure or a family history of Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: People without prior lead exposure or whose dementia is clearly due to non-environmental causes may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal gene-environment targets for preventing or slowing Alzheimer's disease in people exposed to lead.
How similar studies have performed: Lab studies have shown lead can produce Alzheimer's-like changes in cell cultures and early chimeric brain models, but patient-level benefits have not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Chongli — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Chongli
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.