Inhibiting BACE1 to Help Alzheimer’s Patients
Official title: Inhibition of BACE1 for benefiting Alzheimer's patients
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11377615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is testing a new approach to slow Alzheimer’s by safely blocking BACE1, an enzyme involved in clear Alzheimer’s plaques, with potential benefit for people with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2013 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $777,423 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG046929-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, including those with genetic or biomarker indications, who may benefit from plaque-clearing strategies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Alzheimer’s pathology or without eligibility for early-phase translation may not benefit from this specific work.
What this research studies
This project focuses on improving how amyloid plaques are cleared in the brain by targeting BACE1 in glial cells and boosting the brain’s cleanup cells. Researchers will study how more BACE1 inhibition in astrocytes and microglia affects amyloid plaque removal while aiming to minimize damage to neurons and synapses. The work uses mouse models that mimic Alzheimer’s disease and examines how these changes could translate to safer therapies for patients. Findings could guide future human studies aimed at slowing progression of Alzheimer’s in people who carry related risk factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer BACE1-based treatments that help reduce brain plaques and potentially slow Alzheimer’s disease in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Past small trials reduced plaques but caused toxicity; this work seeks to improve safety and effectiveness, building on that knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Riqiang — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Yan, Riqiang
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.