Hyperexcitability in Alzheimer's Disease and how it affects brain signals
Official title: Hyperexcitability in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res · NIH-11469108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, this grant studies abnormal brain activity that happens early in the disease and tests whether stopping it can help cognition and amyloid buildup.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orangeburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $145,948 |
| NIH project number | 3RF1AG055328-06A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease dementia who could participate in related human studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s-related brain hyperexcitability or allergies to study procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at a specific early brain imbalance called hyperexcitability in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will map where these abnormal brain spikes start and how they change as the disease progresses. They will test a closed-loop approach to quiet these spikes in a targeted brain region to see if cognition improves and amyloid levels drop. The work uses animal models and human data to understand mechanisms and potential therapies. If successful, it could point to new ways to slow disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new therapies that reduce harmful brain activity and potentially slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in models and human data suggests hyperexcitability is linked to AD pathology, with some evidence that targeting it can influence disease markers.
Where this research is happening
-
Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
Orangeburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scharfman, Helen E — Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
- Study coordinator: Scharfman, Helen E
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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.