Understanding how some people resist Alzheimer's disease despite brain changes
Official title: Synaptic Resilience to Tau in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11137785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people can stay sharp and think clearly even when they have signs of Alzheimer's in their brains, and it aims to find out what helps them keep their memory and thinking skills strong, which could lead to new ways to help others with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $181,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG085379-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who show signs of Alzheimer's disease pathology but do not exhibit dementia symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already experiencing significant cognitive decline or have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates why some individuals can maintain cognitive function even when they have high levels of Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles. The study focuses on the mechanisms that allow these individuals to preserve their synapses, which are crucial for memory and cognitive abilities. By examining brain samples and synaptic health, the researchers aim to uncover factors that contribute to this resilience. This could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that help protect cognitive function in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding synaptic health in relation to Alzheimer's pathology can provide insights into cognitive resilience, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herskowitz, Jeremy H. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Herskowitz, Jeremy H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genetic and single-cell study of Alzheimer’s risk and resilience
Researchers will study how genes and cell-level signals contribute to Alzheimer’s risk and resilience, using human brains and mouse models to find clues for therapies.
-
Understanding how the brain stays resilient to Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are testing how certain brain pathways help people stay cognitively sharp despite Alzheimer’s pathology, using mouse models and human data to explore protective mechanisms.
-
Social support and dementia risk in sexual and gender minority adults
Looks at how stress and social support relate to thinking skills and brain health in LGBTQ+ adults compared with straight, cisgender adults.
-
Understanding why some very old people stay cognitively sharp or become vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers will study people aged 90 and up to find molecular clues that explain why some stay brain-healthy while others develop Alzheimer's disease.
-
Microglial diversity and cognitive resilience in aging and Alzheimer's disease
A physician-scientist at Mayo Clinic is pursuing a five-year career development plan to understand how different microglia behave in aging and Alzheimer’s, aiming to improve brain health and resilience.
-
Why some brains resist or cope with Alzheimer's
Researchers use brain scans and long-term health records to find why some older adults avoid or cope better with Alzheimer's changes.
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.