How sex and a hormone affect Alzheimer's disease risk
Official title: The Impact of Sex and Hippocampal Angiotensin II on Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11167810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain hormones might affect the risk of Alzheimer's disease in women after menopause, especially since they seem to be more likely to develop the condition, and it hopes to find out why hormone treatments aren't as helpful for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $714,623 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG085296-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not post-menopausal or do not have a risk for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between sex hormones, specifically angiotensin II, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in post-menopausal women. It aims to understand why women are more likely to develop AD despite hormone replacement therapy being less effective for them. The study will explore how angiotensin II may amplify the hallmarks of AD in the brain, such as oxidative stress and amyloid plaques, particularly in women with the XX sex chromosome. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to uncover new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to AD risk in women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease in post-menopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that hormonal influences and angiotensin II signaling play significant roles in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cunningham, Rebecca L — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cunningham, Rebecca L
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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.