Lung-brain signals in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Communicating Lung Dysfunction to the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of North Dakota · NIH-11463421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring how lung inflammation, like from asthma, might influence brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Forks, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $541,018 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG083029-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related cognitive impairment may indirectly benefit from future therapies that modulate lung inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's disease are unlikely to benefit from this research directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at whether inflammation in the lungs can affect the brain in Alzheimer's disease and whether lung-produced molecules like APP or Aβ contribute to disease progression. Using mouse models that mimic asthma and Alzheimer’s, the team will map how lung inflammation relates to brain inflammation and amyloid pathology over time. The ultimate goal is to understand if treating lung inflammation could help slow brain changes in AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to slow Alzheimer's progression by targeting lung-brain inflammatory communication.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in animal models have shown that lung inflammation can influence brain inflammatory markers and amyloid-related changes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Combs, Colin K — University of North Dakota
- Study coordinator: Combs, Colin K
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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.