LRP1's role in clearing amyloid and tau in Alzheimer's

Role of LRP1 in Alzheimer’s disease

NIH-funded research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11285491

Researchers want to find out whether the protein LRP1 in brain barrier cells helps move amyloid and tau out of the fluid around the brain in people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11285491 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project studies how LRP1 in the choroid plexus and tanycytes helps clear amyloid-beta and tau from cerebrospinal fluid into the blood. Scientists will use lab and animal models and tissue analyses to remove or alter LRP1 and watch how that changes protein clearance. They will also examine how LRP1 interacts with the leptin receptor and how diet-induced obesity affects clearance and memory. The goal is to link these mechanisms to Alzheimer’s-related accumulation of proteins.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those at increased risk who are willing to provide samples or participate in related observational efforts would be most relevant.

Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate clinical therapy or those with non‑Alzheimer's dementias are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic-mechanism research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to boost removal of amyloid and tau and ultimately slow or prevent Alzheimer's progression.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have linked LRP1 to amyloid clearance, but translating these findings into human treatments remains unproven.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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 Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.