Investigating how the immune system affects Alzheimer's disease
Official title: The Role of the Complement Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10939086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the immune system helps brain cells deal with the harmful plaques found in Alzheimer's disease, with the hope of finding new ways to support brain health for people living with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $780,898 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG088197-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10939086 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 due to genetic factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the complement pathway, a part of the immune system, in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. It examines how microglia, the brain's immune cells, respond to amyloid-beta plaques, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's. By studying the metabolic changes in these cells and their ability to clear amyloid-beta, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve brain health in Alzheimer's patients. The approach includes analyzing specific proteins and receptors involved in microglial function and their interaction with amyloid-beta.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance the brain's ability to clear harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting immune pathways to improve outcomes in Alzheimer's disease, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Hui — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Hui
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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.