MMP9 and brain imaging changes linked to amyloid therapies for Alzheimer's
Official title: Establishing the role of MMP9 in amyloid-immunotherapy-induced ARIA
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11473793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how a protein called MMP9 may cause brain imaging changes in people treated with anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $478,513 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130834-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients being treated with anti-amyloid therapies or who have undergone such treatment in clinical trials may benefit from safer approaches informed by this work.
✕Less likely to help
If you are not receiving anti-amyloid therapy or are outside the study’s safety monitoring, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one are considering anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s, this project explores why some patients develop ARIA, a brain imaging finding that can accompany treatment. Researchers will use advanced imaging and humanized mouse models to study how MMP9 and inflammatory processes might cause ARIA when anti-amyloid drugs are used. The study aims to connect cellular changes with what doctors see on scans, helping to make therapies safer and more predictable. Results could guide safer dosing, monitoring, and potentially new strategies to prevent ARIA in patients. This work leverages cutting-edge technology to translate basic mechanisms into patient-centered safety insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer understanding of ARIA could lead to safer anti-amyloid treatments and better monitoring for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Past work has linked ARIA to inflammatory processes, but this project uses novel humanized models and 7T MRI to deepen understanding, representing a meaningful advancement.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilcock, Donna M — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Wilcock, Donna M
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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.