Sub-second acetylcholine release in the brain for Alzheimer’s dementia
Official title: Sub-second pharmacokinetics of acetylcholine release and recycling in the cerebral cortex
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11606641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, quick stimulations-based study aims to boost a brain chemical called acetylcholine to help people with Alzheimer’s disease by using a targeted brain stimulation approach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56NS140453-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related Alzheimer syndrome who might benefit from therapies that boost cortical acetylcholine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer’s dementia or with advanced, non-responsive disease may have limited or no benefit from this specific brain stimulation approach.
What this research studies
This project explores whether brief, intermittent stimulation of the basal forebrain can raise acetylcholine levels in the cerebral cortex, potentially improving brain function in Alzheimer’s dementia. Researchers will use new imaging technology to visualize acetylcholine changes in both healthy animals and animal models of Alzheimer’s to optimize stimulation patterns. They will also study how acetylcholine is released, broken down, taken back up, and prepared for another release, looking at cellular mechanisms and the role of enzymes and transporters. The work is translational, aiming to inform human trials by uncovering how stimulation affects brain chemistry and blood flow. The study combines imaging, pharmacology, and animal models to understand this pathway in the context of Alzheimer’s pathology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to optimized brain stimulation therapies that enhance cognitive function for people with Alzheimer’s dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that basal forebrain stimulation can improve executive function and alter amyloid-processing in models, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blake, David T — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Blake, David T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how broadly neutralizing antibodies may help HIV cure trials
A study at UC San Francisco looks at how antibody medicines behave in people on and off HIV therapy to help design better cure strategies.
-
Improving HIV-related brain infections by studying how drugs reach the brain
This grant looks at how well drugs reach the brain and spine to treat HIV-related infections like cryptococcal meningitis and TB meningitis in people with AIDS.
-
Transdermal delivery patch for zanamivir to treat influenza in patients
A new skin patch delivers zanamivir to people with flu or at risk of flu, aiming for easier, safer treatment than pills.
-
Chesapeake-Ohio Pharmacokinetics Core supports cancer drug testing
A collaborative core lab helps researchers study how cancer drugs behave in the body to improve clinical trials and patient care.
-
Urine color test to check tuberculosis drug levels in children and adults
This project uses a simple urine color test to see whether children and adults with TB are getting enough of key TB medicines like rifampin.
-
Making brain-targeted protein degraders work for Alzheimer’s related dementia
A research project at UC San Diego aims to develop smarter drug molecules that can cross the brain barrier and selectively remove disease-related proteins linked to Alzheimer’s, with potential benefits for people living with dementia.
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.