Investigating brain activity changes in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Hyperexcitability in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res · NIH-10990711 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain activities in people with Alzheimer's disease might affect thinking and memory, and it will explore if stopping these activities can help improve brain function and lower harmful proteins in the brain.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,853,477 |
| NIH project number | 2RF1AG055328-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990711 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding hyperexcitability in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). It aims to explore a specific type of brain activity known as interictal spikes (IIS), which may occur early in the disease process and could impact cognitive function. The researchers will investigate where these spikes originate in the brain, how they change with age, and whether inhibiting them can improve cognition and reduce amyloid-beta levels, a protein associated with AD. By using advanced techniques like closed-loop optogenetics, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind these brain activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing hyperexcitability in the brain may have beneficial effects in other neurological conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
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.