Balancing protective Nrf2 and SSH1 to reduce tau damage in Alzheimer's
SSH1-Nrf2 nexus in tipping the balance between degeneration and protection in tauopathies.
['FUNDING_R01'] · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11232288
This project tests whether boosting protective Nrf2 activity and limiting SSH1 signaling can help protect brain cells from tau-related damage in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11232288 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how two cellular pathways, Nrf2 (a protective stress response) and SSH1 (a regulator of the cell skeleton), interact in Alzheimer's-related tau damage from a patient-centered perspective. They will examine human brain tissue and use purified proteins, cultured cells, and animal models to see how changing these pathways affects tau accumulation, oxidative stress, and cell survival. The team will measure biochemical changes, cell structure and function, inflammation, and cognitive outcomes in models to find which interventions shift the balance toward protection. Results are intended to reveal targets or strategies that could later be tested in people to slow tau-driven neurodegeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical tests based on this work would be people with Alzheimer disease dementia or other tauopathies, especially those in early or mild stages.
Not a fit: Patients without tau-related pathology, with non-tau causes of dementia, or with very advanced widespread neurodegeneration may not benefit from therapies targeting this pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets for new treatments that slow or prevent tau-driven neuron loss in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal work shows that boosting Nrf2 can reduce amyloid and tau pathology and improve memory, but the specific SSH1–Nrf2 interaction is a new and less-tested angle.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KANG, DAVID E — CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KANG, DAVID E
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia