Nasal anti‑CD3 antibody to reduce brain inflammation in Alzheimer's
Mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of nasal administration of anti-CD3 in AD mouse models
A nasal antibody treatment called anti‑CD3 aims to calm harmful immune cells in the brain to help people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327385 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are giving an antibody called anti‑CD3 through the nose in mouse models of Alzheimer's to see whether it changes immune cells in the brain and improves thinking. The treatment appears to act in cervical lymph nodes to create regulatory T cells that can travel to the brain and reduce inflammation in microglia and astrocytes. The team will measure memory and behavior in treated mice and examine brain tissue for markers of inflammation and disease‑associated cell types. These experiments build on earlier findings that nasal anti‑CD3 improved cognition in Alzheimer‑model mice and helped in other neuroinflammatory mouse models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would likely be people with early or mild‑to‑moderate Alzheimer's disease who can attend treatments and follow‑up at a clinical center.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer's, other types of dementia, or active nasal/respiratory problems that prevent intranasal treatment may be less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a noninvasive nasal therapy that lowers brain inflammation and helps preserve memory in people with Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work has shown cognitive improvement in Alzheimer‑model mice and benefit in other neuroinflammatory mouse models, but this approach has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, Howard L — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Weiner, Howard L
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.