How the immune system supports brain health
Immune system supports brain function
This project is testing whether improving the immune system and the brain's waste‑drainage pathways can help older adults keep their memory and thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11335044 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying the tissues around the brain (the meninges) and the tiny lymphatic vessels there that help clear waste. They are looking at how these drainage pathways and immune cells change with age and in models of Alzheimer’s, and whether those changes harm memory. In the lab they plan to boost meningeal lymphatic function or directly alter immune activity to see if that improves meningeal blood vessels and cognitive function. If human work is included, participants may provide samples and take memory and thinking tests to track any changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults experiencing age-related memory decline, mild cognitive impairment, or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Not a fit: People with memory problems from non‑age causes, advanced late‑stage dementia, or unrelated neurological illnesses may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or reverse age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s by restoring brain clearance or correcting immune problems.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical (animal) studies have shown promise from improving meningeal lymphatic drainage, but human therapies have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kipnis, Jonathan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Kipnis, Jonathan
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.