Uncovering nonlinear genetic roles in Alzheimer’s disease brain cells
Official title: Uncovering Nonlinear Genetic Architectures in Alzheimer's Disease Cellular Pathogenesis
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11423977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study will look at how complex genetic patterns in brain cells contribute to Alzheimer's disease in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $808,980 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG102573-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older who are at risk for or have Alzheimer’s disease dementia, or have APOE-related risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
People under 65 or without Alzheimer’s risk factors are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
The team at Colorado State University will develop advanced statistical and computational methods to map how nonlinear genetic effects in brain cell states relate to Alzheimer’s risk and progression. They will build a distribution-aware atlas that links genetic variants to molecular pathways in specific brain cell types, using novel tools that focus on different parts of the data distribution. The project aims to create per-quantile fine-mapping and transcriptome-wide analyses so researchers can pinpoint targets for therapy or prevention. This work could help translate complex genetic signals into clearer, cell-level mechanisms of disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to earlier, more precise identification of people at risk and inform targeted strategies to intervene in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have used traditional analyses; this project aims to improve past approaches by focusing on nonlinear and cell-state-specific signals, with potential for new discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Tianying — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Tianying
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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.