Niacin and an MS drug ingredient as possible treatments to protect the Alzheimer's brain
Repurposing FDA-approved agonists of HCAR2 as novel therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at whether two FDA-approved drugs that activate HCAR2 (niacin and the active metabolite of dimethyl fumarate) can protect brain cells and help people with 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 ID | NIH-11330654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will test FDA-approved HCAR2-activating drugs (niacin/Niaspan and monomethyl fumarate, the active form of Tecfidera) in laboratory and animal models of Alzheimer's disease. They will measure how these drugs change microglial behavior, brain inflammation, markers of neurodegeneration, and memory-related outcomes in mice and cell-based systems. The team will examine HCAR2 expression and downstream molecular effects and use dosing information relevant to approved human uses to support repurposing. If the lab and animal results look promising, these data would support moving toward trials in people with Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or early-stage cognitive decline due to AD who might enroll in clinical trials of repurposed HCAR2-activating drugs.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or those whose dementia is caused by non-AD conditions, and possibly individuals with very advanced AD, may not benefit from these treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to already-approved, affordable medicines that slow neurodegeneration and memory decline in people with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: HCAR2 activation showed neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease, stroke, and MS models and niacin improved outcomes in Parkinson's patients, but using these drugs in Alzheimer's is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moutinho, Miguel — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Moutinho, Miguel
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.