Investigating how infections affect brain health in Alzheimer's disease

Pathogen-induced cellular senescence and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11053990

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11053990 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's or those without any history of infections may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Airway infectionsAlzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.