Identifying proteins that help maintain movement and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Identifying resilience proteins in key motor tissues that drive motor and cognitive decline and offset the negative effects of ADRD pathologies within and outside the brain
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11032817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins in the muscles and brain might help older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions stay active and think clearly, with the hope of finding ways to support their movement and mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,256,142 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075728-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who exhibit varying degrees of motor and cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain proteins in key motor tissues can help maintain movement and cognitive function in individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). By examining the differences in motor resilience among older adults with similar levels of Alzheimer’s pathologies, the study aims to identify specific proteins that may protect against the decline in movement and cognitive abilities. The researchers will use advanced techniques to analyze these proteins and their potential roles in promoting resilience against the negative effects of ADRD. This work could lead to new insights into how to support better movement and cognitive health in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that enhance movement and cognitive resilience in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying resilience factors in cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchman, Aron S — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Buchman, Aron S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Socioeconomic factors shaping brain health and cognitive aging in midlife
A long-term study of how health, lifestyle, and environment in midlife influence brain aging and the risk of cognitive decline, especially in people at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
-
Small blood-vessel changes in the brain linked to walking and thinking abilities
This project looks for MRI patterns that explain why some midlife and older adults—especially African American people and women—keep good walking and thinking abilities despite white matter changes in their brains.
-
Proteins that protect movement and thinking in Alzheimer's
This project looks for proteins in motor brain and nerve tissues that help older adults with Alzheimer's or related dementias keep moving and thinking better.
-
Understanding factors that help spousal caregivers of those with Alzheimer's cope better
This study looks at the struggles that spouses caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's and similar conditions face, and it aims to understand what helps some caregivers stay strong and healthy despite the challenges, so we can support them better.
-
Understanding how early life factors affect cognitive decline in aging
This study is looking at how things like education and mental activities throughout life can help protect against memory loss as we age, especially for those at risk of Alzheimer’s, so that people can learn how their early experiences might keep their minds healthier later on.
-
Identifying early signs of Alzheimer's disease and resilience factors
This study is looking at new ways to spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease in older adults by examining brain activity, so we can help those at risk or who are doing well despite the challenges of aging.
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.