Understanding the link between microbes and Alzheimer's disease
Exploring mechanisms driving microbe-induced AD risk using next generation sequence data.
['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · NIH-11103275
This project looks at how tiny microbes might play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease in people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11103275 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We know that certain infections might increase the chance of getting Alzheimer's disease, and this project aims to understand why. Researchers are examining existing blood and brain samples from large groups of people with Alzheimer's to find microbial DNA. By looking at these genetic clues, we hope to learn if infections happen before Alzheimer's, how they affect the brain changes seen in the disease, and if a person's genes influence this connection. This work uses advanced genetic sequencing to detect any type of microbial DNA present in these samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data and samples from large groups of people who have or had Alzheimer's disease, including those from the ADSP, ADNI, FHS, AMP-AD, and Gwangju cohorts.
Not a fit: Patients not diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those whose data is not part of the specified large cohorts would not directly benefit from this particular data analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease and potentially lead to new ways to prevent or treat it by targeting microbial factors.
How similar studies have performed: Multiple lines of evidence suggest a connection between microbial infections and Alzheimer's disease, but this project aims to answer specific, unresolved questions about this relationship.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SHERVA, RICHARD — BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- Study coordinator: SHERVA, RICHARD
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome