Targeting apolipoprotein E4 to slow Alzheimer's in Down syndrome
Official title: Investigating and targeting apolipoprotein E4 in Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11463278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to find and test ways to block apoE4’s role in Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $735,107 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG078965-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Down syndrome who carry the APOE ε4 allele and are at risk for or showing signs of Alzheimer's-related changes may be eligible for future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Down syndrome or without the APOE ε4 risk factor may not benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
People with Down syndrome almost universally develop Alzheimer’s pathology by middle age, and this project looks at how apoE4 worsens that risk. Researchers have created a lab test to screen existing small molecules for the ability to block apoE4 from promoting toxic amyloid species, aiming to repurpose drugs with known safety records. The work combines cellular assays, drug screening, and analyses relevant to Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer’s to identify potential therapies. If successful, these findings could guide future clinical studies focused on preventing or delaying dementia in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the approach could lead to therapies that reduce brain degeneration and delay or prevent dementia in people with Down syndrome who carry APOE ε4.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports apoE4 as a driver of Alzheimer’s pathology and suggests repositioning known drugs could modulate this pathway, though direct in vivo efficacy in Down syndrome remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
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University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Noah Ray — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Noah Ray
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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DS-ARC: Smartphone-based cognitive check for people with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer’s
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed and tested for people with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, to track changes quietly in daily life.
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Remote monitoring of Alzheimer’s changes in adults with Down syndrome
A study tests remote (at-home) ways to track Alzheimer’s-related thinking changes in adults with Down syndrome.
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How sleep and body temperature affect Alzheimer's risk in adults with Down syndrome
Researchers will follow adults with Down syndrome over several years to learn whether sleep problems and lower body temperature are linked to earlier Alzheimer's changes.
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DS-ARC: A smartphone-based cognitive test for Down syndrome–associated Alzheimer’s disease
A smartphone-based cognitive test will be developed and tested to help detect early signs of dementia in adults with Down syndrome.
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DS-ARC: A smartphone-based cognitive test for Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer's disease
A new smartphone app will measure day-to-day thinking changes in adults with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, helping catch early signs in a convenient, real-world way.
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DS-ARC: A Remote Digital Cognitive Test for Down Syndrome-Related Alzheimer’s Disease
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed to help people with Down syndrome who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease understand and track early brain changes.
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.