Investigating how high doses of thiamine may help in Alzheimer's disease by reducing harmful compounds.
Official title: Mechanistic links between the benefits of pharmacologically high thiamine (vitamin B1) in Alzheimer's disease to Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE)
Funded at Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst · NIH-11019797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a special form of vitamin B1 called benfotiamine can help improve symptoms for people with Alzheimer's disease, especially those who have a certain genetic risk factor, by reducing harmful compounds in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (White Plains, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,114,684 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082228-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, particularly those who may have a deficiency in thiamine or carry the APOE4 genotype.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Alzheimer's disease who do not have thiamine deficiency or those with advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the potential benefits of pharmacological thiamine, specifically through the drug benfotiamine, in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It aims to understand how thiamine can reduce the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE), which are harmful compounds linked to the progression of Alzheimer's. The study will involve clinical trials to assess the effects of high thiamine levels on symptoms and biomarkers in patients, particularly focusing on those with the APOE4 genetic risk factor. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to optimize thiamine's therapeutic effects for better patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for Alzheimer's disease, potentially slowing its progression and alleviating symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with thiamine supplementation in Alzheimer's models, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst
White Plains, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibson, Gary E — Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Gibson, Gary E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.