Investigating the link between fungal infections and Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: Chronic Murine Cerebral Mycosis: Pathogenesis, Neuroimmune Response, and Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11081689 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of fungus might be linked to Alzheimer's Disease by seeing if it can enter the brain and affect memory, which could help us understand the disease better and find new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $129,032 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AG083219-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081689 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's Disease or those experiencing early cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's Disease or those without any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the potential connection between fungal brain infections and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By using a model that involves injecting the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans into the bloodstream, the study aims to understand how this fungus can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect memory and brain health. The researchers will analyze the resulting brain infections and their similarities to the plaques found in Alzheimer's patients, which could provide insights into the disease's progression and potential treatment avenues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's Disease by targeting fungal infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between fungal infections and Alzheimer's is a novel area of investigation, preliminary studies have suggested potential connections that warrant further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bimler, Lynn — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bimler, Lynn
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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.