Activating CMA to help fight Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Official title: Endocytosis and Endolysosomal Trafficking of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in the Regulation of Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11392326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team is studying how a cellular cleanup system called CMA can be turned on to support brain health in people with Alzheimer’s disease and similar dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $284,496 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121176-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related Alzheimer’s syndromes who may benefit from future CMA-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s disease dementia or those not influenced by CMA-related mechanisms may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is controlled by signaling pathways linked to common brain diseases. It aims to uncover new ways to boost CMA by targeting receptors and kinases involved in insulin signaling and related pathways, with a focus on conditions like Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The work combines cell and animal studies to understand how CMA affects proteins that accumulate in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. By identifying druggable targets, the research could guide future therapies that enhance CMA to reduce disease-related damage. The long-term goal is to translate these insights into safe strategies to activate CMA in patients at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s-type conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches that slow or modify progression of Alzheimer’s-related dementia by boosting the cell’s own protein-cleanup system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows CMA activity can influence age-related diseases, with some animal studies supporting CMA activation as protective, though human translation is still developing.
Where this research is happening
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University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Endicott, Samuel Joseph — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Endicott, Samuel Joseph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.