Understanding Aging Brain Cells in Alzheimer's Disease
High Resolution Profiling of Senescent Neurons and Their Microenvironments in Postmortem Human Brain Tissue Spanning Eight Decades of Life
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11348690
This project aims to understand how aging cells in the brain contribute to Alzheimer's disease by studying human brain tissue.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11348690 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As we get older, our risk for Alzheimer's disease increases, and changes in the brain can begin many years before symptoms appear. This project looks at a natural aging process called cellular senescence, where cells stop dividing but don't die, instead releasing harmful substances into their surroundings. We believe these senescent cells, particularly neurons with tau protein tangles, play a role in the brain damage seen in Alzheimer's. By closely examining human brain tissue from different ages, we hope to discover exactly how these aging neurons contribute to the disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research uses donated human brain tissue from individuals who lived with Alzheimer's disease or experienced normal aging.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease or related brain aging conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to target and treat the cellular aging processes that drive Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has identified a link between cellular senescence and neurodegeneration in brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ORR, MIRANDA ETHEL — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ORR, MIRANDA ETHEL
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease