Understanding how a brain barrier molecule affects neutrophil-driven brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s
Official title: Deciphering the role of junctional adhesion molecule-A in neutrophil-driven inflammatory response in Alzheimer disease
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11322641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused look at how a molecule that helps immune cells stick to brain blood vessels might influence inflammation and progression in Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 1, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,083 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084186-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia could benefit from future therapies emerging from this line of work, once translated to humans.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits may be limited for individuals without Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
What this research studies
This project investigates how neutrophils and a brain endothelial molecule called JAM-A interact in Alzheimer’s disease. Using a mouse model that mimics human Alzheimer’s, researchers will study cellular events at the blood-brain barrier and how blocking JAM-A could reduce neutrophil invasion, inflammation, and cognitive decline. The study aims to connect immune cell behavior in the blood with inflammatory changes in the brain to identify potential therapeutic targets. If successful, these findings could guide new approaches to treat or slow Alzheimer’s by dampening harmful brain inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to reduce brain inflammation and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in mouse models suggests that blocking JAM-A can reduce neutrophil-driven brain inflammation and improve behavior, supporting this approach as promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keep, Richard F — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Keep, Richard F
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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.