Understanding how immune signaling affects Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Investigating the role of cGAS signaling and microglial senscence in tauopathy
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10899588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific immune system pathway might affect the brain changes seen in Alzheimer's disease, especially related to tau proteins, by testing mice and analyzing brain samples from people with Alzheimer's to better understand its impact on thinking and immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $125,431 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AG078493-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk for developing Alzheimer's.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-Alzheimer's forms of dementia or other unrelated neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a specific immune signaling pathway, known as cGAS signaling, in the development of Alzheimer's disease. It focuses on how this pathway may contribute to the neurodegeneration associated with tau proteins, which are implicated in Alzheimer's. By studying mice with a genetic mutation linked to tauopathy and analyzing brain samples from Alzheimer's patients, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms by which cGAS signaling influences cognitive functions and immune responses. The approach includes behavioral tests, brain activity measurements, and advanced genetic sequencing techniques to gather comprehensive data on the effects of cGAS in the context of Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that target immune signaling pathways to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of cGAS signaling in tauopathy is relatively novel, similar immune signaling pathways have shown promise in other neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amin, Sadaf — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Amin, Sadaf
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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.