Tumor Susceptibility Gene 101: a microglial therapy approach to protect memory in Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Tumor susceptibility gene 101, a new microglial therapy candidate for Alzheimer’s disease to prevent cognitive decline
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11463429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team is studying a protein called TSG101 in brain immune cells to slow or prevent cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $656,609 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082704-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease or related cognitive impairment in whom therapies targeting microglial pathways might be relevant in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is driven by non-mmicroglial mechanisms or who have advanced neurodegeneration may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how brain immune cells called microglia contribute to Alzheimer’s by releasing extracellular vesicles that carry tau protein. By selectively removing TSG101 in microglia in mouse models, researchers have seen improved memory tasks, less tau buildup, and preservation of synapses. The study will test whether targeting TSG101 can reduce brain inflammation and alter disease-related gene pathways, with plans to validate findings through tissue analysis and behavioral testing. If successful, this work could point to a new way to modify disease progression in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, targeting microglial TSG101 could slow cognitive decline and reduce brain pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mouse models have shown cognitive and pathological improvements with microglial TSG101 manipulation, suggesting potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ikezu, Seiko — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Ikezu, Seiko
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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.