NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Team science approach to study aging and Alzheimer’s disease with machine learning and functional genomics

Official title: Team science approach to integrate machine-learning models and functional genomics to study aging in the context of Alzheimer's disease

Funded at Yale University · NIH-11537711 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A combined team effort will use advanced computer models and brain cell data to understand how aging influences Alzheimer’s disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$792,447
NIH project number4R33AG087875-03
Project IDNIH-11537711 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and those contributing neural cells (from donors) for research.

Less likely to help

People not affected by Alzheimer’s or without interest in contributing samples or data will not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This project brings together experts to build cell-type specific networks that explain how aging processes and genetic risk shape Alzheimer’s disease. They will use large-scale brain datasets to connect aging signals with disease biology and create a model of how normal aging affects brain cells differently in people who develop Alzheimer’s. The work will generate new data from donor-derived neurons and microglia to map regulatory elements that change with age and impact disease risk. The plan includes sharing findings and datasets to help researchers pursue targeted therapies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could identify aging-related mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s and point toward new therapeutic targets to slow or prevent dementia.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that integrating epigenomic and transcriptomic data can reveal mechanisms of aging and disease, with growing evidence of usefulness for Alzheimer’s.

Where this research is happening

  • Yale University
    New Haven, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Brennand, Kristen Jennifer — Yale University
  • Study coordinator: Brennand, Kristen Jennifer

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.