Understanding how amyloid plaques form in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Structural Basis of Plaque Morphogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11448261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project will look at how misfolded amyloid proteins build up in the brains of people and mouse models with Alzheimer’s disease to uncover new clues for diagnosis and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,967 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS144991-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or those at risk who could contribute brain tissue samples or participate in future imaging or biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not directly undergoing new therapies may not experience immediate clinical benefits, but the research could advance understanding for future treatments.
What this research studies
This project will study the shapes and formation of amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer’s disease using advanced imaging and biochemical methods. Researchers will examine human brain tissue and mouse models to see how different plaque forms relate to disease stages. By combining cryo-electron tomography, proteomics, and immunohistochemistry, the team hopes to map how plaque structure links to toxicity and progression. The work aims to connect specific plaque morphologies with in vivo processes to inform future therapies and early intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve early detection and guide therapies that target specific plaque forms in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked plaque structures to disease stages, but this project seeks direct in situ visualization to strengthen existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Yang — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Yang, Yang
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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.