Understanding brain circuits involved in navigation difficulties in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Cell-type-specific dissection of retrosplenial circuits in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10900895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells affect the way people with Alzheimer's disease get lost or feel disoriented, with the hope that understanding these cells can help create better treatments for navigation problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,459 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AG087629-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900895 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who experience spatial disorientation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease who do not exhibit symptoms of spatial disorientation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain cells in the retrosplenial cortex contribute to spatial disorientation in Alzheimer's disease. By examining preclinical models, the study aims to identify the role of low-rheobase cells in processing orientation information, which is crucial for navigation and memory. The approach involves detailed dissection of brain circuits to understand their dysfunction in Alzheimer's. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to targeted therapies for navigation-related symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve navigation and memory function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting specific brain circuits can lead to improvements in cognitive functions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rybicki-Kler, Chloe Isabella — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Rybicki-Kler, Chloe Isabella
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.