How obesity affects brain inflammation and memory in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Impact of Obesity on Brain Immune Response and Cognition
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11003260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight in middle age and eating a lot of saturated fats might affect brain health and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, with hopes of finding new ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2018 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX004146-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged individuals who are obese or have a high-fat diet and are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or do not have risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the link between midlife obesity and the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), focusing on how diets high in saturated fats influence brain immune responses. It explores how these dietary fats can prime brain immune cells, known as microglia, to become more inflammatory, potentially worsening AD pathology. By using transgenic mouse models, the study aims to understand the mechanisms by which obesity-related inflammation contributes to the development and progression of AD. The findings could lead to new prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify new targets for preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in individuals affected by obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that dietary factors can influence neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Butterick, Tammy Angaline — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Butterick, Tammy Angaline
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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.