Repairing the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's patients with epilepsy
Blood-Brain Barrier Repair in Alzheimer’s Disease with Epilepsy
This study is looking at how problems with the blood-brain barrier might lead to more seizures and memory issues in people with Alzheimer's disease, and it hopes to find a new treatment that can help fix this barrier and improve their overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089355 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between blood-brain barrier dysfunction and the co-occurrence of epilepsy in Alzheimer's disease patients. It aims to understand how a combination of amyloid beta and glutamate contributes to this dysfunction, which worsens cognitive decline and seizure frequency. By exploring the underlying mechanisms, the researchers hope to develop a new treatment that can repair the blood-brain barrier, reduce seizures, and slow cognitive decline in affected patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who also have epilepsy.
Not a fit: Patients with Alzheimer's disease who do not experience epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment that improves cognitive function and quality of life for Alzheimer's patients who also experience epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of repairing the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's with epilepsy is novel, related research has shown promise in addressing blood-brain barrier dysfunction in other neurological conditions.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartz, Anika M.s. — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Hartz, Anika M.s.
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.