How tiny brain cell packages (extracellular vesicles) carry Alzheimer's proteins
Fundamental Biology of Neuronal Extracellular Vesicles
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · NIH-11144947
This research looks at how small packets released by brain cells carry amyloid and tau proteins and what that means for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144947 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will hear about researchers studying small particles that brain cells release, called extracellular vesicles, which can contain amyloid-beta and tau proteins linked to Alzheimer's. They will use lab-grown neurons and microglia, manipulate factors like age-related stress and protein handling, and examine samples from blood or cerebrospinal fluid to see how vesicle release changes. The team will test whether increasing or decreasing vesicle release affects how much harmful protein stays outside cells in cell-based models. Findings could help explain whether vesicles spread disease or help clear toxic proteins.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults with Alzheimer's disease or people willing to donate blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples for research.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or those unwilling to provide samples are unlikely to directly benefit from this lab-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to detect Alzheimer's earlier or to therapies that reduce harmful protein buildup by targeting these vesicles.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have shown vesicles can carry amyloid and tau and that changing vesicle release alters extracellular amyloid in cell models, but translating these findings to patient tests or treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. — PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BARR, MAUREEN M — RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- Study coordinator: BARR, MAUREEN M
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease