Can we prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
At WashU, researchers are asking a bold question: Can we stop Alzheimer’s disease before it starts?
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 7 million Americans, threatening the memories we hold dear, the independence we value, and the bonds we share with loved ones. While new drugs have offered some relief, they haven’t done enough — and some have come with serious side effects.
Biomedical engineer Jai Rudra and biochemist Meredith Jackrel are taking a new approach.
Backed by a major grant from the National Institute on Aging, they’re working to create a treatment that helps the body recognize and clear away the harmful proteins that build up in the brain and drive Alzheimer’s.
Why this approach is different
Many Alzheimer’s treatments manage symptoms. This research takes an immunotherapy approach, using engineered peptides to train the immune system to recognize and clear amyloid deposits, the protein buildup that accumulates in the brain over time.
We come from the same general academic core area of studying protein folding, but mine is much more biochemical, biophysics, whereas Jai has experience with immunology and more of the engineering side. We kind of both speak the same language, and then also very different ones.
Meredith Jackrel
Their innovative drug design could safely “train” the immune system without the inflammation that caused problems in earlier studies.
The goal is to be able to at least prevent disease in cases where we know people are at risk.
Jai Rudra
If it works, protecting brain health could be as simple as a shot for those most at risk.
WashU is truly the top place to study Alzheimer’s disease. It would be hard to argue that any place is better. The resources, the knowledge that’s in place, the support is really strong.
Meredith Jackrel
WashU’s scientists aren’t just chasing treatments — they’re reimagining prevention itself. By combining relentless curiosity with compassion for those affected, they’re showing what it means to never give up on the promise of better brain health.
Preventing Alzheimer’s before it begins.
