Understanding how certain brain cells help protect against Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Microglial subpopulations that contribute to resilience to Alzheimers disease
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10721320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells, called microglia, help some people stay healthy in their thinking even when they have signs of Alzheimer's disease, and it hopes to find new ways to support brain health for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $188,892 |
| NIH project number | 1K22AG082712-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10721320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are cognitively healthy but have been found to have Alzheimer's-related brain changes, such as amyloid-beta plaques.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific brain immune cells, called microglia, in individuals who show resilience to Alzheimer's disease despite having typical pathological features. By studying both human samples and mouse models, the research aims to identify different subpopulations of microglia and how they respond to Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain. The goal is to understand how these cells may contribute to cognitive health in the presence of Alzheimer's pathology, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from insights gained into how to enhance resilience against Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or delaying cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prater, Katherine Elizabeth — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Prater, Katherine Elizabeth
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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.