Understanding how everyday exposures affect Alzheimer's disease progression
Official title: The Role of Chemical Exposures in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and its Trajectory
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11609305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national research effort is studying how environmental exposures, gut health, diet, and metabolism relate to Alzheimer's and related dementias to identify new ways to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $81,000 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG088562-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11609305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at various stages of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, and those who could contribute biological samples or imaging data.
✕Less likely to help
Participants with conditions outside the AD/ADRD spectrum or those unable to provide samples or imaging data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced metabolomics and lipidomics, along with genomic and brain imaging data, to map how exposures and biology interact across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum. Conducted in collaboration with large networks, it builds a shared molecular atlas of AD that links the exposome to brain changes. The effort also investigates how the gut microbiome and lifestyle factors influence brain health and disease. The work aims to identify molecular patterns that could lead to better diagnostics and personalized treatment options for people living with AD or ADRD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and more targeted therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked metabolomic changes to brain imaging and cognitive decline, supporting the potential of this approach, though the integrated atlas is still being built.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaddurah-Daouk, Rima F — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Kaddurah-Daouk, Rima F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Alzheimer’s disease and related brain changes linked to chemicals in the body
This NIH grant supports a patient-centered effort to map how environmental exposures and body chemistry relate to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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How environment, gut health, and metabolism affect Alzheimer’s disease
This grant looks at how environmental exposures, gut microbes, diet, and metabolism influence Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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Understanding how chemical exposures affect Alzheimer's disease progression
This project studies how environmental chemicals and other biological factors influence brain health and the course of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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Understanding how brain hyperexcitability and sex differences affect Alzheimer’s disease
This grant tests whether brain hyperexcitability linked to a genetic risk (APOE4) and sex differences contribute to memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease, using computer simulations and mouse data to guide potential human treatments.
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CNS Exosomes and Adaptive Immunity in Alzheimer’s Disease
This project studies how tiny brain vesicles called exosomes may activate the body's immune system in Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of understanding mechanisms that could lead to new treatments.
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How everyday chemical exposures may affect Alzheimer's disease and its course
Researchers will analyze blood, gut, genetic, and brain imaging data from people with and without Alzheimer's to find chemical and metabolic patterns tied to the disease.
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.