Understanding how gut health affects brain function in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Promoting circadian rhythms to optimize gut-to-brain signaling for Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10717948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in gut health might affect Alzheimer's disease and whether adjusting eating times can help improve both gut and brain function, using fruit flies to learn more about this connection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,869,019 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS133378-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10717948 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who may benefit from dietary and lifestyle interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or those with other unrelated cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between gut microbiome changes and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). By using fruit flies as a model, the study will explore how disruptions in circadian rhythms impact gut health and cognitive decline in AD. The researchers will implement time-restricted feeding to see if it can restore gut health and improve brain function. Through genetic manipulation and microbiome analysis, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking gut and brain health in AD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary interventions that improve gut health and cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-brain connection, but this specific approach using circadian rhythms and microbiome analysis in Alzheimer's is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melkani, Girish C. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Melkani, Girish C.
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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.