NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Selenium Metabolism and Selenoprotein Formation and Its Link to Alzheimer’s Disease

Official title: Regulation of Selenium Metabolism and Selenoprotein Synthesis

Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11428062 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Researchers are studying how selenium is processed in the body and how selenoproteins are made, to understand potential connections to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2026
Project endMay 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$421,250
NIH project number1R35GM165628-01
Project IDNIH-11428062 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or those at risk for neurodegenerative conditions, who could participate in future translation of selenium-based strategies.

Less likely to help

There may be no direct benefit for individuals without neurodegenerative conditions or when selenium forms or delivery methods are not advantageous.

What this research studies

This research will explore how different forms of selenium are absorbed and distributed in the body and how tissues regulate the production of selenoproteins under stress. Using animal models and functional genomic approaches, the project aims to uncover how selenium metabolism impacts redox balance, cell protection, and disease processes related to Alzheimer’s disease. The findings could illuminate why selenium supplementation helps some people but not others, and what forms or delivery methods might be more effective. The work is designed to translate basic biology into potential strategies for improving brain health in disorders linked to oxidative stress.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: It could lead to more precise dietary or therapeutic approaches that support brain health in people at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests selenium metabolism and selenoprotein production influence oxidative stress, but results on dementia outcomes have been inconclusive, making this both continuing and potentially transformative.

Where this research is happening

  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
    Tampa, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Jiang, Chang — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
  • Study coordinator: Jiang, Chang

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.