Using TREM2 genetic information to find anti-inflammatory treatments for Alzheimer's
TREM2 Genotype-Informed Drug Repurposing and Combination Therapy Design for Alzheimers Disease
This project looks at whether anti-inflammatory medicines chosen based on someone's TREM2 gene may help people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) become inflammatory in Alzheimer's and how a TREM2 gene variant makes that worse. They use single‑cell RNA profiling to identify disease‑associated microglia and the signaling pathways (like AKT) that drive inflammation. The team has identified two approved inhaled steroid drugs (fluticasone and mometasone) as candidates and will explore repurposing them and designing combination therapies guided by TREM2 genotype. The work draws on lab models, genetic analyses, and patient-linked data to prioritize treatments for people with specific TREM2 changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, particularly those who carry the TREM2 R47H risk variant or show microglial inflammation on biomarker testing.
Not a fit: People with very advanced dementia, Alzheimer's not driven by microglial inflammation, or those without TREM2-related changes are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce personalized, faster-to-deploy anti-inflammatory treatments that slow decline in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's who have TREM2-related inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical data showed AKT inhibition can reverse TREM2‑linked inflammation and epidemiological signals suggested lower Alzheimer's incidence with some inhaled steroids, but clinical, TREM2-guided treatment trials remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Feixiong — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Feixiong
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.