Protective Relin Variant in Alzheimer’s Preventive Research
Official title: 'Defining the Mechanisms Underlying the Protective Effects of the Reelin-COLBOS Variant in Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11356906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how a rare genetic variant may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and what this could mean for preventing dementia in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG101719-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11356906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or with Alzheimer’s genetics may benefit from future prevention strategies derived from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s risk or those not represented by the cell models may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will edit human stem cells to carry the RELN-COLBOS variant and then turn those cells into brain cells to study how the variant affects Alzheimer’s-related processes. They will look specifically at how it changes APP processing and amyloid beta production, along with changes in gene activity and cell behavior. By comparing cells from healthy individuals and people with Alzheimer’s, the team aims to uncover mechanisms that could inform new prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding protective mechanisms could guide the development of new interventions to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s in at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in cellular models have shown that gene variants can alter disease-associated processes, supporting the potential for meaningful findings here.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brafman, David a — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Brafman, David a
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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.