Understanding Sugar Changes in Alzheimer's Disease Brains

Deciphering the Glycan Code in Human Alzheimer's Disease Brain

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · NIH-11088800

This research explores how sugar metabolism changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease to find new ways to help them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11088800 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Alzheimer's disease is a challenging condition, and we need to better understand its root causes to develop effective treatments. This project focuses on how complex sugars, called glycogen and N-linked glycans, behave in the brain. These sugars are crucial for normal brain functions like memory and thinking, but we've found they might be altered in Alzheimer's. By studying these changes in human brain samples and models, we hope to uncover new insights into how the disease progresses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding the disease in those affected by Alzheimer's dementia.

Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease dementia would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's disease and potentially identify new targets for future therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from this team has shown profound glycogen accumulation and protein hyperglycosylation in both mouse models and human Alzheimer's specimens, indicating a promising direction.

Where this research is happening

GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.