How the APOE4 gene affects Lewy body dementia
Elucidating the Pathomechanisms of APOE4 in Lewy Body Dementia
This project looks at how the APOE4 gene changes brain lipids and protein clumps in people with Lewy body dementia to help explain why some brain regions are more damaged.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303430 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study brain tissue from people who had Lewy body dementia, use mouse models that change APOE in astrocytes, and grow human stem-cell brain organoids in the lab to recreate disease features. They will focus on how APOE4 alters lipid transport, the cell's waste-disposal (endosomal-lysosomal) system, and the buildup of alpha‑synuclein protein. The team will compare which brain regions are most vulnerable and how APOE4 interacts with other risk genes like GBA and BIN1. Findings aim to link molecular changes to the patterns of damage seen in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, especially those known to carry the APOE4 gene or families willing to consider brain donation, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without APOE4 or those seeking immediate treatment changes should not expect direct personal benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why APOE4 raises risk and point to new targets for treatments or biomarkers for Lewy body dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies in human brains and animal models have linked APOE4 to worse alpha‑synuclein pathology, but the detailed mechanisms remain novel and under active study.
Where this research is happening
Jacksonville, United States
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Jacksonville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Na — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Na
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.