How "Good Cholesterol" May Help in Alzheimer's Disease

Principal Investigator
Cheryl Wellington, BSc, PhD
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
About the Research Project
Program
Award Type
Standard
Award Amount
$300,000
Active Dates
July 01, 2021 - June 30, 2025
Grant ID
A2021045S
Goals
This project will examine the levels and function of a subclass of high density lipoproteins that contain peripherally expressed apolipoprotein E in blood samples from healthy and Alzheimer’s Disease.The field of Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers includes measures of amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration, but lacks markers of vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease. Good cholesterol, currently measured as HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), may be one such marker. There are now assays to measure apoE-containing HDL particles that are better than HDL-C to predict heart disease.
Summary
In Aim1 we will evaluate how these newer HDL tests associate with features of Alzheimer’s Disease. In Aim 2, we will use innovative engineered models of the human cerebral vessel to understand apoE-HDL functions.
Unique and Innovative
Coupling state-of-the-art assays of HDL composition with sophisticated measured of HDL’s effects on human cerebrovascular cells is a highly innovative translational approach used throughout our study.
Foreseeable Benefits
One foreseeable benefit is a new way to measure HDL in patient plasma as a potential new vascular biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease. Another potential benefit is that our study may provide data to justify new clinical trials that leverage HDL drugs being developed for cardiovascular disease toward being studies in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Grants
Related Grants
Alzheimer's Disease Research
Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying Endosomal Targeting of SORL1
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Principal Investigator
Olav Andersen, PhD
Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying Endosomal Targeting of SORL1
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2026

Principal Investigator
Olav Andersen, PhD
Alzheimer's Disease Research
The Role of DYRK1A in Altered Microglia Biology in a Cellular Model of Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2027
Principal Investigator
Frances Wiseman, PhD
The Role of DYRK1A in Altered Microglia Biology in a Cellular Model of Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2027

Principal Investigator
Frances Wiseman, PhD
Alzheimer's Disease Research
Synergistic Effects of Biological Sex and Sleep Loss in an AD Mouse Model
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Principal Investigator
Mallar Chakravarty, PhD
Synergistic Effects of Biological Sex and Sleep Loss in an AD Mouse Model
Active Dates
January 01, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Principal Investigator
Mallar Chakravarty, PhD