Investigating the link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia-like Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Virus-Host Interactome, Neuropathobiology, and Drug Repurposing
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10661931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 might affect the brain and lead to Alzheimer's and other memory problems, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how the virus could impact brain health and finding new ways to help those who are struggling with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,394,473 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG082211-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10661931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced COVID-19 and are showing signs of cognitive impairment or are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not exhibit any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By examining the interactions between the virus and human proteins, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of neuroinflammation and brain injury associated with COVID-19. Using advanced techniques, including patient-derived stem cells, researchers will analyze brain cells to identify potential drug targets and pathways that could mitigate cognitive decline. The goal is to provide insights that could lead to new treatments for those affected by both COVID-19 and neurocognitive disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease in patients who have had COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has indicated potential links between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Feixiong — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Feixiong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
This research looks at how COVID-19 may contribute to dementia by studying brain inflammation, blood vessel injury, and virus-host interactions, with the goal of finding existing drugs that could help.
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How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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How COVID-19 and genetics influence memory and dementia risk in older adults
This project studies how getting COVID-19 interacts with people’s genetic makeup to affect the likelihood of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults from diverse backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
This project will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
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SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
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.