Sugar-tagged brain proteins and their role in Alzheimer's and related dementias

Decoding the role of the glycoproteome in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11309605

This work looks at sugar-modified brain proteins to find links with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11309605 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will use a new lab method to map sugar-modified forms of proteins across human brain tissue and compare samples from people with and without Alzheimer's pathology. They will link specific sugar-modified protein forms to brain changes, cognitive decline, and loss of mobility. The team will also test whether an active lifestyle relates to healthier patterns of these modified proteins and will study genetic factors that influence them. Results aim to point to biological mechanisms, potential biomarkers, and future drug targets.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, older adults in memory or brain-health cohorts, or people willing to donate brain tissue or clinical data would be the most relevant participants.

Not a fit: People without neurodegenerative disease, younger individuals, or those unwilling to provide tissue or clinical information are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could identify new biomarkers or drug targets to help predict, prevent, or treat cognitive and mobility decline in Alzheimer's and related dementias.

How similar studies have performed: Prior protein-wide studies have linked some proteins to Alzheimer's symptoms and the team has already identified thousands of sugar-modified protein forms with some related to disease, but full glycoproteome mapping in Alzheimer's is still a new area.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Alzheimer's Disease and its related dementiasAlzheimer's disease and related dementia
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.