Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Official title: Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis and Treatment
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11622615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,655 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG093636-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11622615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly those with aging-related factors and APOE e4 carriers, may benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s disease risk or those not concerned with aging-related cognitive decline may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies a newly discovered role of telomerase in aging and Alzheimer’s disease using mouse models and human brain considerations. It aims to understand how maintaining telomerase activity in neurons could influence aging processes and AD pathology. The work suggests that keeping telomerase at normal levels in brain cells might preserve cognition and reduce disease features, potentially translating into new therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that slow cognitive decline and modify Alzheimer’s disease progression by targeting telomerase pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in animal models has shown cognitive improvements with neuron-specific telomerase activity, supporting the potential but human translation remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Depinho, Ronald Anthony — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Depinho, Ronald Anthony
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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.