This NOFO will solicit R01 applications that propose studies in animal, cell culture, and/or human tissue models to elucidate the mechanisms by which COVID-19 interacts with and/or modulates AD/ADRD-relevant phenotypes.
Either the model itself or the experimental readouts will be required to incorporate
AD/ADRD risk factors, pathologies, or relevant comorbidities.
To this end, proposals can focus on one or more of the following:
- Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 impacts CNS pathology and cognitive outcomes when AD/ADRD pathology is already present (for example, in a model of AD/ADRD).
- Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 accelerates AD/ADRD pathology and cognitive deficits in a prodromal model (early phase, pre-symptomatic).
- Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 predisposes for AD/ADRD and/or interacts with relevant comorbid conditions and risk factors (cellular mechanisms that could potentially increase the risk for future AD/ADRD).