Investigating how genes and environmental factors interact in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: AD GxE: In vivo and in vitro modeling of gene x environment interactions
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10973807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes and things like air pollution or heavy metals might work together to affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, using special lab-grown brain cells to better understand these interactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $763,225 |
| NIH project number | 1U01AG088667-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a family history of Alzheimer's disease or those concerned about their risk due to environmental exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease or who are not exposed to relevant environmental factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between genetic factors and environmental exposures, such as air pollution and heavy metals, in the development of Alzheimer's disease. By using advanced cell models, the researchers will examine how these factors influence neural cell survival and function. They will analyze induced pluripotent stem cells to create brain organoids that mimic human brain conditions, allowing for detailed study of gene-environment interactions. The goal is to uncover how specific genetic variants may affect an individual's risk for Alzheimer's when exposed to harmful environmental factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease by identifying at-risk individuals based on their genetic and environmental profiles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gene-environment interactions in various diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for Alzheimer's disease as well.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Jason Louis — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Stein, Jason Louis
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.