Using niacin to reduce tau-related brain damage in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Activation of the niacin receptor HCAR2 to mitigate tau pathology
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11102194 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how niacin, a vitamin that can reach the brain, might help protect against damage related to Alzheimer's disease by encouraging brain cells to respond better to harmful tau proteins, and it's being tested in mice to see if it could lead to new treatments for this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $560,636 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG092549-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11102194 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other tauopathies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tauopathies not related to Alzheimer's disease or those who do not respond to niacin may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of niacin, a vitamin that can cross the blood-brain barrier, to activate a specific receptor (HCAR2) in the brain that may help protect against tau pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand how niacin can stimulate microglial cells, which play a crucial role in brain health, to respond positively to tau-induced damage. By exploring this approach, the researchers hope to find a new therapeutic strategy for treating tauopathies, which currently have no effective treatments. The research will utilize mouse models to assess the effects of niacin on tau pathology and microglial activation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that niacin can have protective effects in neurodegenerative models, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moutinho, Miguel — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Moutinho, Miguel
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.