Understanding how SORLA in microglia affects Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Elucidating a microgliaassociated role for SORLA in modulating AD pathogenesis
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11417250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study looking at how a gene called SORLA in brain immune cells (microglia) influences Alzheimer’s disease risk and progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $865,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070391-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer’s disease or those at risk who may benefit from future therapies targeting microglial SORLA pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients without access to microglia-targeted therapies may not directly benefit during early-phase research.
What this research studies
This project uses human stem cells turned into microglia-like cells to model Alzheimer’s disease and compare how different SORL1 mutations change cell behavior. Researchers will edit stem cells to introduce AD-associated mutations and then analyze changes in gene activity and how these cells handle and clear harmful amyloid-beta. The work aims to connect microglial dysfunction with AD pathology using transcriptomics, functional assays, and mouse brain experiments. The findings could reveal new angles for therapies that target microglia and SORLA in Alzheimer’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify microglia-based targets to slow or prevent amyloid buildup in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked SORLA to amyloid processing in neurons; this project extends those ideas to microglia and APOE interactions, a newer and promising angle.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Timothy Yikai — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Huang, Timothy Yikai
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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.