Objective
Despite decades of research, there is currently no drug capable of preventing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and ~99% of the drug candidates ultimately fail in clinical trials. This high failure rate is largely due to the lack of reliable preclinical models that enable continuous, longitudinal testing of therapeutic interventions from the earliest, pre-symptomatic stages of the disease.
AD‑LINK is a chronic neurotechnology platform designed to extract high‑resolution neurophysiological signatures of early AD across development and disease progression for longitudinal drug testing. Building on ERC‑funded discoveries showing that microglial dysfunction drives early network hyperexcitability, AD‑LINK addresses a fundamental limitation of current methods: no existing tool can provide stable, months‑long high‑density recordings while also enabling precise, localized perturbation of disease‑relevant pathways in freely moving animals. To meet the distinct needs of different disease stages, we will develop two complementary devices: (1) an ultra‑lightweight Neuropixels 2.0 drive for juvenile mice, enabling continuous tracking of the earliest circuit abnormalities during developmental onset; and (2) an integrated Liquid‑Ephys drive for adult mice, combining high‑density electrophysiology with controlled in situ delivery of soluble factors, allowing causal testing of how targeted interventions modulate — and potentially reverse — pathological circuit states. Through iterative engineering, in vivo validation, IP development, and structured engagement with industrial partners, this ERC PoC will deliver a de‑risked research platform that replaces insensitive behavioral endpoints with precise circuit‑level signatures. By enabling longitudinal, mechanistic analysis of early neuronal dysfunction and its modulation over time, AD‑LINK will strengthen the translational foundations of pre‑clinical AD research, thus aiming to increase success rate of AD drug candidates at clinical trials.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.