BrightFocus Foundation, Alzheimer's LA Fund New AI-Driven Alzheimer's Research

CLARKSBURG, Md. and LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A partnership between BrightFocus Foundation and Alzheimer’s Los Angeles (Alzheimer’s LA) is funding two new pilot grants for emerging Alzheimer’s researchers in Southern California.

The grants support early-stage projects exploring the use of artificial intelligence in Alzheimer’s disease research, including a collaboration between investigators at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). Designed to generate critical preliminary data, the awards aim to accelerate innovative approaches to understanding disease biology, earlier detection, and treatments and position the research for future competitive funding.

“Supporting cutting-edge, early-stage research is critical to advancing the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Stacy Pagos Haller, president and CEO of BrightFocus Foundation. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Alzheimer’s LA to fund these pilot grants, which are designed to spark new ideas, strengthen collaboration across disciplines, and help promising investigators generate the data they need to take the next step.”

“Scientific breakthroughs begin with bold ideas and the researchers willing to pursue them. Through our partnership with BrightFocus Foundation, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles is proud to support emerging investigators who are applying innovative technologies like artificial intelligence to tackle some of the most complex challenges in Alzheimer’s disease. These projects have the potential to deepen our understanding of the disease, accelerate the development of new treatments, and ultimately bring hope to the millions of families affected by Alzheimer’s,” said Joey Milne, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s LA.

Proposals were recommended by the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Research Scientific Review Committee and approved by the Alzheimer’s Los Angeles HealthCare and Research Advisory Council. Each researcher will receive $25,000 for one year, starting July 1, 2026.

Project Details

Uncovering Transposable Element Exonization as a Hidden Layer of AD Genetics
Yuyun Zhang, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA

Mentor: Dr. Xinshu Grace Xiao, UCLA
Collaborators: Jessica Rexach, MD, PhD, UCLA, and Zhipeng Lu, PhD, USC

The human genome is vast and more dynamic than previously appreciated. Researchers will use AI technology to look for rogue pieces of DNA that randomly insert themselves in the genome, resulting in faulty proteins that can contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s. This project will also look to identify RNA-based therapies that can then target and potentially stop these aberrant proteins, making brain cells more resilient to the effects of Alzheimer’s.

Fibril-Specific AI Drug Design to Identify Tau Aggregation Inhibitors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Yuanyuan Wei, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, UCLA
Mentor: Chao Peng, PhD, UCLA

Alzheimer’s disease is driven in part by the buildup of abnormal tau protein, but efforts to develop drugs that block this process have been limited by outdated screening tools and unrealistic lab models. This project uses a new AI platform to identify promising drug candidates and tests them in a disease-relevant neuron model that closely mimics real Alzheimer’s pathology. The goal is to generate early evidence for new tau-targeting therapies and identify lead compounds for further development.

To date, the BrightFocus–Alzheimer’s LA partnership has jointly funded nine pioneering research projects across Southern California, uncovering new insights across disease biology, risk reduction, earlier detection, and new treatments.

BrightFocus recently awarded $9.2 million to support 37 cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research projects in eight countries.

“Alzheimer’s disease continues to affect millions of families. As federal research funding remains uncertain, it becomes even more critical that nonprofit funders join together to invest in these kinds of bold ideas, which offer our greatest hope for new breakthroughs and a path toward a cure,” Haller added.

About Alzheimer’s Los Angeles

Alzheimer’s Los Angeles is a trusted community-based nonprofit organization serving individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias throughout Los Angeles County. Founded by family caregivers in 1981, the organization has served Los Angeles County for 45 years through free education, support services, advocacy, and community programs. Alzheimer’s Los Angeles works to ensure that all communities have access to information, resources, and compassionate care, while advancing awareness and research. Learn more at AlzheimersLA.org.