Dr. Ryan S. Dhindsa, principal investigator at Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded the American Brain Foundation’s Cure One, Cure Many award in Neuroinflammation to investigate how viral infections may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a March 25 statement.
The research grant will provide up to $2 million in funding and aims to open new avenues for preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease. This could include antiviral therapies, vaccines, and more personalized care for those at risk.
Dhindsa leads the project with co-investigators Dr. Caleb Lareau of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dr. Artem Babaian of the University of Toronto. The team brings together expertise in human genetics, computational biology, and virology as they seek answers about why many people develop Alzheimer’s disease—a question that remains unresolved despite decades of research.
The project will focus on the idea that viruses and immune responses may play a significant role in triggering Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers plan to analyze genetic and health data from over one million individuals for patterns linking viral exposures with immune responses and Alzheimer’s risk. They will also examine brain tissue at the single-cell level and use laboratory models based on human stem cell–derived brain cells.
Dhindsa said: “It is an honor to receive this support from the Cure One, Cure Many Award. Viral infections are emerging as a major, underappreciated driver of Alzheimer’s disease, and this award will allow our team to conduct the most comprehensive screen of viral exposures and host genetics in Alzheimer’s to date—spanning over a million individuals… Our goal is to identify which viruses matter most, why some people are more vulnerable than others, and ultimately move the field closer to new therapeutic strategies for patients.”
This initiative highlights Texas Children’s commitment to advancing neuroscience research that connects discovery with clinical outcomes for complex neurological conditions.
