Investigating how cadmium exposure affects Alzheimer's disease genes using brain organoids
Official title: Examining the effect of cadmium metal exposure on Alzheimer's disease genetic alleles using herpes viral infected cerebral organoids
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10973830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to cadmium, a harmful metal, and herpes virus might affect genes related to Alzheimer's disease, using tiny brain models made from human cells, to help us understand how these factors could influence the development of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $837,485 |
| NIH project number | 1U01AG088673-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease or those concerned about environmental exposures related to cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease or are not exposed to cadmium may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of cadmium, a heavy metal, on genetic factors associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by utilizing human brain organoids. The study aims to understand how cadmium exposure, both alone and in combination with herpes virus infection, influences the expression of AD-related biomarkers. By analyzing these effects in a controlled laboratory setting, researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms linking environmental toxins and viral infections to Alzheimer's pathology. This could provide insights into how genetic variations may modify these effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease by identifying environmental risk factors and their interactions with genetic predispositions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between heavy metal exposure and Alzheimer's disease, but this specific approach using cerebral organoids is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, Ying Leong — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Chan, Ying Leong
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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.