TREM2 antibodies and brain network health in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Mechanistic Exploration of TREM2 Antibodies that Can Suppress Alzheimer's Disease Related Network Hyperexcitability and Cognitive Deficits
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11356835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if special antibodies for TREM2 can calm brain hyperactivity and cognitive problems in people with Alzheimer’s disease, by altering immune and neural signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $519,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG101017-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11356835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer’s-related dementia who meet study eligibility criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease or without eligibility criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether activating TREM2 on brain immune cells can reduce abnormal brain activity and help cognition in Alzheimer’s. Researchers will look at how these antibodies affect a key neuromodulator and the signals that control it, aiming to map the relevant pathways. The work builds on prior findings in model systems and uses early-stage approaches to explore mechanisms that could guide future therapies. If successful, the study could uncover new ideas about how immune cells influence brain networks in Alzheimer’s.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, it could lead to therapies that reduce brain hyperactivity and help preserve cognition in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in related models suggest that modulating TREM2 can influence neural-immune interactions, but clinical translation is still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mucke, Lennart — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Mucke, Lennart
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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.