Investigating a non-drug treatment for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: To Study Mechanisms of a Non-Pharmacological Treatment Strategy for Alzheimer’s disease
Funded at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine · NIH-10114620 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a gentle hands-on treatment called cranial osteopathic manipulation to see if it can help clear waste from the brain and improve memory and learning in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $474,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AT010789-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10114620 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia not related to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores a non-pharmacological treatment called cranial osteopathic manipulation (COM) to enhance the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain, which is a key issue in Alzheimer's disease. By using aged and genetically modified rat models, the study aims to understand how COM affects cognitive function and fluid circulation in the central nervous system. Osteopathic physicians will apply precise mechanical pressure to specific areas of the brain to observe changes in memory and learning capabilities. The goal is to uncover the biological mechanisms behind COM's potential benefits for Alzheimer's patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, non-invasive treatment option that improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: While cranial osteopathic manipulation has been used in clinical practice for decades, this specific application in Alzheimer's disease is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Costa, Blaise — Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Study coordinator: Costa, Blaise
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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.