Shifting APOE4 behavior in brain support cells to lower Alzheimer's risk
Mevalonate Pathway Regulation of Astrocyte ApoE
This research looks at whether changing a cholesterol-making pathway in brain support cells can make APOE4 act more like lower-risk APOE types and reduce amyloid-related damage linked to Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237095 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow brain support cells (astrocytes) from mice engineered to carry human APOE2, APOE3, or APOE4 and will test compounds that alter parts of the mevalonate (cholesterol-making) pathway. They will measure how these changes affect the amount of APOE released by astrocytes and the lipid content of APOE particles. The team will check whether those changes lower production of amyloid-beta and improve survival of nerve cells, comparing results across the common human APOE types. All work is preclinical laboratory research carried out at the University of Virginia using cell cultures and animal models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who carry the APOE ε4 genetic variant or who are in early stages of Alzheimer's would be the most likely candidates for future therapies based on this work.
Not a fit: People without the APOE4 variant or those with very advanced Alzheimer's disease are less likely to benefit from approaches that specifically target APOE behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that reduce amyloid buildup and protect neurons, especially for people who carry the APOE4 gene.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked APOE lipidation to amyloid and neuron health, but directly targeting the mevalonate pathway to change APOE4 secretion and lipid content is a novel, preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferris, Heather — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Ferris, Heather
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.