Humanized FSH‑blocking antibody for Alzheimer's disease
A Humanized Monoclonal FSH Blocking Antibody for Alzheimer's Disease
A new humanized antibody that blocks the hormone FSH is being developed to try to slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease in people with early memory loss or at increased risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161491 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing Hu6, a human‑derived antibody that blocks follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) because blocking FSH helped memory and reduced Alzheimer‑type changes in mice. The team is scaling up production of the antibody, finding the best formulation, and running laboratory and preclinical safety and pharmacology tests needed before testing in people. Work is based at Icahn School of Medicine and focuses on measuring how the antibody binds, how long it stays in the body, and whether it is safe in standard preclinical models. If those steps succeed, the plan is to move toward early human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual human testing would be people with early Alzheimer's symptoms or those at elevated risk for Alzheimer's, such as some older adults and possibly postmenopausal women.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer's, other non‑Alzheimer dementias, or conditions not driven by FSH pathways are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new treatment to slow or prevent cognitive decline in people at risk for or in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related antibody blocking of FSH produced promising prevention and cognitive benefits in two mouse models, but this approach has not yet been proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zaidi, Mone — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Zaidi, Mone
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.