Mapping Mitochondrial DNA Changes in the Brain for Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: First Comprehensive Mitochondrial DNA Brain Mutation Atlas for Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Kuakini Medical Center · NIH-11132735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at changes in mitochondrial DNA in brain and blood samples to better understand how Alzheimer's disease develops and progresses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kuakini Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2005 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $914,157 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AG027060-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This particular research uses existing brain and blood samples from a specific long-term study cohort of American men of Japanese ancestry.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not part of the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program/Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study cohort would not directly participate in this specific grant's activities.
What this research studies
Mitochondria are tiny powerhouses in our cells that are important for energy and overall cell health. When they don't work properly, it can contribute to aging and brain diseases like Alzheimer's. This project is creating a detailed map of changes in mitochondrial DNA across different brain regions and in blood from a long-term study cohort. By doing this, we hope to uncover new insights into the causes and progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier diagnosis, new ways to track disease progression, and potentially new targets for treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized in neurodegeneration, creating a comprehensive, region-specific atlas of acquired mitochondrial DNA mutations in Alzheimer's disease is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Kuakini Medical Center
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Willcox, Bradley John — Kuakini Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Willcox, Bradley John
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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.