Oral TREM2 drug for Alzheimer's disease
Evaluating a novel, orally-active TREM2-targeting drug in AD
This project tries to boost a brain protein called TREM2 with an oral drug to reduce inflammation in people with Alzheimer's disease or who are at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307121 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing and optimizing an oral compound called Sob-AM2 that targets TREM2, a protein involved in brain immune cell activity and linked to Alzheimer's risk. They will determine a safe, effective oral dose that raises TREM2 in the brain, then give that dose to mouse models that mimic amyloid and tau forms of Alzheimer's to see if it slows disease changes. The team will also test the best timing to start treatment and measure effects on brain inflammation, amyloid/tau pathology, and behavior. These preclinical studies at Oregon Health & Science University aim to decide whether the drug is ready for future human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The likely candidates for future trials would be people with early Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's, or individuals at high risk based on biomarkers or genetics.
Not a fit: People with non‑Alzheimer's forms of dementia or very advanced Alzheimer's disease are less likely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new oral therapy that reduces harmful brain inflammation and may slow Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting TREM2 is a newer approach with encouraging results in other preclinical neurodegeneration models, but it has not yet been proven effective in people with Alzheimer's.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Nora E — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Gray, Nora E
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.