Understanding Alzheimer's Disease with a Brain-Lymphatic Model
A microphysiological model of the brain-lymphatic system in Alzheimer's disease
This project creates a miniature human brain and lymphatic system to better understand Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177067 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The nervous and immune systems interact in complex ways that contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's. Traditional mouse models are useful but lack human components and can be difficult to manipulate precisely. Our team is building a tiny, interconnected model of the human brain, its protective layers (meninges), and lymph nodes on a chip. This "organ-on-chip" system will allow us to study how these parts work together in both healthy conditions and in Alzheimer's disease. We can then easily test different drugs or genetic changes to see their effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk may eventually benefit from the discoveries made using this advanced model.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options will not directly benefit from this foundational laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new ways to understand and treat Alzheimer's disease by providing a more accurate human-like system for testing.
How similar studies have performed: While organ-on-chip systems are a growing field, applying them to the complex brain-lymphatic interaction in neuroimmunology is a novel approach, building on recently established individual tissue models.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munson, Jennifer M — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Munson, Jennifer M
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.