# Diversity Supplement: Effects of stimulation on resilience in brain immune cells

> **NIH NIH RF1** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2024 · $187,815

## Abstract

Diversity Supplement for Hector Zepeda: Gamma Sensory Flicker to Induce Resilient Brain
Immune Function
Mr. Hector Zepeda, the trainee in this proposal, will lead a new project related to but distinct from
Aim 1 of the parent grant. This project provides enhanced training to Mr. Zepeda, a graduate
student from an under-represented group in science. Microglia, the brain's primary immune cells,
are thought to play a causal role in the risk of developing AD, the most prevalent type of dementia.
According to recent research by the parent grant's principal investigator, Dr. Singer, neuronal
electrical activity at 40Hz frequency alters microglia phenotype and cytokine expression. Because
of its potential to modulate the phenotype of microglia, flicker stimulation is a promising early
intervention in AD. However, the effects of flicker in a preclinical stage are unknown. Thus, this
project will determine how flicker affects microglia and astrocytes in mice that express ApoE4, the
major genetic risk factor for AD. ApoE4 drives microglia into a reactive or overly active state that
ultimately leads to synapses loss and neurodegeneration. In the presence of an immune
challenge and ApoE4, microglia enter a perpetual reactive state and with limited ability to enter
less reactive states. The aim for this project is to determine how to use flicker stimulation to
mitigate this reactive microglia and astrocyte responses in the face of an immune challenge. Mr.
Zepeda will test the central hypothesis that flicker promotes resilience in brain immune cells, such
that these cells become less reactive to immune challenges. Promising results from this research
project will provide the foundation to use flicker as a preclinical therapy for persons susceptible to
Alzheimer's disease due to ApoE4 expression. During this project, Mr. Zepeda will undergo
enhanced training in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, glia responses to neural activity, and
neuroimmune function in health and Alzheimer’s disease with close mentorship of Drs. Annabelle
Singer and Levi Wood.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11090059
- **Project number:** 3RF1NS109226-06A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Annabelle Catherine Singer
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $187,815
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11090059

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11090059, Diversity Supplement: Effects of stimulation on resilience in brain immune cells (3RF1NS109226-06A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11090059. Licensed CC0.

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