Molecular changes in memory-related brain cells in aging and Alzheimer's
Molecular Diversity Among Hippocampal and Entorhinal Cells in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11158734
Researchers are comparing molecular patterns in memory-related brain cells from people with and without Alzheimer's to learn why some cells are damaged while others resist the disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11158734 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project will analyze brain tissue from people who had Alzheimer's, from age-matched people without dementia, and from rhesus macaques to map cell types in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Scientists will use single-nucleus RNA sequencing and single-nucleus ATAC sequencing to profile gene activity and DNA accessibility in specific neurons and supporting cells. The team will build a high-resolution cell census of these memory regions to identify molecular signatures linked to vulnerability or resilience. Those findings aim to highlight pathways that could become targets for future diagnostics or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include older adults with Alzheimer's disease and people without dementia (or their families) who can donate brain tissue after death or enroll in a linked brain-bank program.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate symptom relief should not expect direct benefit, because this is basic research using postmortem and comparative tissue rather than a treatment trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal molecular targets or biomarkers that help detect Alzheimer's earlier or guide development of new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior single-cell studies have found disease-linked cell signatures in Alzheimer's, but this focused, high-resolution mapping of hippocampal and entorhinal cell types across species is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SESTAN, NENAD — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SESTAN, NENAD
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome