Testing a new vaccine approach to prevent Alzheimer's disease in young people
Official title: In vivo testing of structure-based vaccine candidates targeting Alzheimer’s disease
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11058173 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine designed to help prevent Alzheimer's disease by training the immune system to target harmful proteins in the brain, and it's being done in young mice to see if it can help keep their memory and thinking skills sharp.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $356,174 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG087044-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058173 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease due to genetic or environmental factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 20 or those who do not have any risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel active immunization strategy aimed at preventing Alzheimer's disease by targeting misfolded proteins in the brain. The approach involves immunizing mice with a specially designed vaccine that includes key components from proteins associated with Alzheimer's, such as A-beta and tau. By testing this vaccine in adolescent mice, the researchers hope to determine its effectiveness in preserving cognitive function and slowing the progression of amyloid formation. The study employs various behavioral tests to assess memory and cognitive abilities after vaccination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a preventive vaccine that helps maintain cognitive health in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with similar active immunization strategies in animal models, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Jialing — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Liu, Jialing
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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.