Novel fat-fluid signaling in the brain to slow Alzheimer's
Official title: Novel lipolytic sterol signaling pathway against Alzheimer's progression.
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11301548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small grant is funding a study to explore how lipid signals in brain cells affect Alzheimer’s progression in mice and what this could mean for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG099011-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11301548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at risk for Alzheimer’s or with early signs of AD who could benefit from future therapies targeting brain lipid signaling.
✕Less likely to help
This study is preclinical and involves mouse models, so it may not yet benefit individuals without Alzheimer’s risk.
What this research studies
This project looks at how lipid droplets in brain cells influence Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a natural pathway that helps cells manage cholesterol and inflammation. Researchers will study 3xTg-AD mice to see how activating certain sterol signals might improve amyloid clearance and reduce damaging inflammation. They aim to identify a safe way to boost brain cholesterol processing without triggering unwanted fat production. The work may reveal new targets for therapies that slow cognitive decline by modifying lipid signaling in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new brain-approved treatments that help clear toxic proteins and calm inflammation in people at risk for Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows that modulating lipid signaling can influence Alzheimer’s-related processes in animals, suggesting potential but still early results.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paul, Antonio — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Paul, Antonio
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.