Investigating how COVID-19 may contribute to Alzheimer's disease development
Official title: The role of SARS-CoV-2-induced senescence in the development of Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11134140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 might affect the brain and possibly lead to Alzheimer's disease, especially in older people, by examining how the virus interacts with brain cells, and it hopes to find new ways to help those who have had COVID-19 and are at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | June 9, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $369,823 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS138600-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have had COVID-19 and are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not have risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of Alzheimer's disease, particularly focusing on how the virus may induce cellular senescence in the brain. The study will examine the effects of the virus's spike protein and systemic inflammation on brain cells, especially in older individuals. By using aged mice as a model, researchers aim to understand the mechanisms by which COVID-19 could exacerbate Alzheimer's pathology. The findings could provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease in patients with a history of COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease in individuals affected by COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific connection between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease is still being explored, related research has shown that viral infections can impact neurological health, suggesting potential for significant findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Markoutsa, Eleni — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Markoutsa, Eleni
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
This research looks at how COVID-19 may contribute to dementia by studying brain inflammation, blood vessel injury, and virus-host interactions, with the goal of finding existing drugs that could help.
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How COVID-19 and genetics influence memory and dementia risk in older adults
This project studies how getting COVID-19 interacts with people’s genetic makeup to affect the likelihood of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults from diverse backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
This project will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
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SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
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.