Understanding how inflammation and lifestyle affect tau and Alzheimer's risk in women
Official title: Biological and lifestyle factors contributing to Tau in women at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11374903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why women may have a higher tau-related burden and faster decline in Alzheimer’s disease by exploring inflammatory markers and lifestyle factors like sleep and activity in women at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $954,307 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080663-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who are willing to provide biomarker samples and participate in lifestyle assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without measurable inflammatory or tau biomarker changes or those not interested in lifestyle assessments may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at UC San Diego will examine how neuroinflammation, especially TNF-α and related markers, interacts with tau pathology and cognitive function in women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. They will combine analysis of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, imaging data, and patient lifestyle information to identify sex-specific pathways. The study also considers how physical activity and obstructive sleep apnea may modify these relationships, aiming to pinpoint modifiable factors that could reduce risk for women. Results could guide personalized prevention strategies and potential targets for therapies that consider sex differences. Overall, the project seeks to better understand why women may be more vulnerable and how to protect them from progression toward Alzheimer’s dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to sex-specific prevention strategies and treatments that slow cognitive decline in women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest sex differences in inflammation and tau are linked to cognitive outcomes, but this project targets modifiable lifestyle factors in women specifically.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banks, Sarah — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Banks, Sarah
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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.