Investigating how environmental factors affect brain health and Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative effects of environmental determinants: altering neural cellular populations impacting homeostatic functions and inflammatory response.
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11075805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things in our environment, like harmful substances, might affect the brain and contribute to Alzheimer's disease, with the hope of finding new ways to prevent or treat the condition for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $540,813 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075069-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with a family history or exposure to environmental toxins.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those who do not have any risk factors related to environmental exposures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of environmental factors on the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It focuses on how exposure to toxic substances and gene-environment interactions can influence brain cell health and inflammatory responses. By studying the role of glial cells and specific nuclear receptors, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that contribute to neurodegeneration and identify potential modifiable risk factors. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new prevention strategies or treatments for AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting environmental risk factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of environmental factors in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fitz, Nicholas Francis — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Fitz, Nicholas Francis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SSRI use during pregnancy: effects on placental blood flow and inflammation
This grant studies how antidepressants (SSRIs) used during pregnancy might affect the placenta and inflammation, and whether a 5-HT2 receptor blocker could mitigate any negative effects.
-
Understanding how skin inflammation is controlled to help conditions like atopic dermatitis
A study at UC San Diego investigates how skin cells regulate inflammation to prevent prolonged skin redness and injury.
-
Estrogen and neutrophil function in lung disease among adults with CF and bronchiectasis
This grant tests how estrogen may change neutrophil behavior and lung inflammation in adults with cystic fibrosis or non-CF bronchiectasis to explain why women often have worse outcomes.
-
Targeting inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
Aims to understand how inflammation drives age-related macular degeneration in people and explore new targets to slow or stop vision loss.
-
T-Cell Signals in Neonatal Heart Regeneration
This project explores how a specific immune pathway involving CD4+ T helper 2 cells may help the neonatal heart repair itself after injury in mouse models, with potential implications for human heart healing.
-
Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages fuel lung inflammation after ozone exposure
This study looks at how certain immune cells in the lungs called monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages respond to ozone exposure and worsen lung inflammation, especially after prior lung injury.
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.