Understanding MicroRNA Markers for Early Alzheimer's Disease
Potential miRNA biomarkers and miRNA regulatory targets underlying early congnitive impairement and progression to Alzhiemer's disease
This project looks for tiny genetic signals in the blood called microRNAs that could help us find Alzheimer's disease earlier and develop new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease affects millions, and current treatments have limited success, highlighting the need for better ways to detect and treat it. This project aims to discover new markers in the blood, called microRNAs, that can help identify the disease in its early stages. We believe these microRNAs could also be targets for new therapies to prevent the production of harmful proteins. By studying these tiny signals, we hope to gain new insights into how Alzheimer's develops and progresses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk for or experiencing early cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have or are not at risk for Alzheimer's disease would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a simple blood test for early Alzheimer's detection and uncover new targets for future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: The molecular approaches used in this work have shown success in cardiovascular disease research, suggesting a promising foundation for this novel application in Alzheimer's.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karere, Genesio — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Karere, Genesio
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 below.