Restoring brain immune cell cholesterol balance and mitochondrial health in Alzheimer's
Reversing Microglial Inflammarafts and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
Trying a gene-delivery approach to restore a protective protein in the brain to reduce harmful inflammation in Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235897 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a protein called AIBP that helps control cholesterol in brain immune cells (microglia) and supports healthy mitochondria. Researchers deliver a secreted form of AIBP into the brain using a harmless viral carrier (AAV) in Alzheimer's model mice to see if microglia return to a healthier state and mitochondria stop showing stress-related damage. They study how AIBP interacts with membrane 'inflammarafts' that drive inflammatory signaling and how restoring AIBP affects amyloid and cell survival. The work aims to define the steps by which AIBP improves microglial and mitochondrial function so it can guide future therapies for people with Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: In future clinical work, ideal candidates would likely be people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's who are eligible for brain-targeted gene-delivery therapies.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer's, other non-Alzheimer dementias, or who cannot undergo brain-targeted interventions are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower damaging brain inflammation and protect neurons, potentially slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: AAV gene-delivery has shown promise in other neurological conditions in animals and some human trials, but using AIBP and targeting 'inflammarafts' for Alzheimer's is largely a novel, preclinical strategy.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Yury — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Miller, Yury
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.