New laboratory models for Alzheimer's disease
Disease Model Development and Phenotyping Project
Researchers are creating and analyzing mouse models that carry human Alzheimer's risk genes to learn more about late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds and characterizes mouse models that include human Alzheimer's-related genes such as APOE4, TREM2*R47H, and humanized Aβ. Scientists follow the animals over time and use imaging (PET/CT), multi-omics (RNA, protein, metabolite), neuropathology, and fluid biomarkers to track disease changes. They introduce additional genetic risk variants with CRISPR and compare the mice's brain data to human Alzheimer’s datasets to find shared disease signals. Some models also test environmental effects like a high-fat/high-sugar diet to mirror human risk factors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The work is most relevant to people with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and to those with genetic risk factors such as APOE ε4 or TREM2 variants.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory-based animal research, patients should not expect direct or immediate treatment benefits or clinical interventions from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these models could speed discovery of disease mechanisms and help develop better diagnostics and treatments for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal-model work has helped identify biological pathways and test candidate therapies, though many preclinical findings have not yet translated directly into effective human treatments.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, Gareth R — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Howell, Gareth R
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.