Investigating how infections affect brain health in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Pathogen-induced cellular senescence and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11053990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how infections might affect the brain's protective barrier in people with Alzheimer's, and it hopes to find out if these infections can lead to more problems with thinking and memory, so your participation could help us learn more about this connection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $794,341 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG091545-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk of developing it, particularly if they have a history of infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's or those without any history of infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between infections and the deterioration of the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's disease. It aims to understand how pathogens can trigger inflammation and cellular aging, which may contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's. By using advanced computational tools, the study will analyze cellular changes in the brain to identify potential mechanisms linking infections to cognitive decline. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data to help uncover these relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new prevention strategies or treatments for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the effects of infections on brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that infections can exacerbate Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into disease mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rehman, Jalees — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rehman, Jalees
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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.