Boosting myelin repair in Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth (CMT)
Official title: Role of a Fatty Acid Chaperone in Schwann Cell Myelination
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11283991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Seeing if a fatty‑acid chaperone can help rebuild the insulating sheath (myelin) around peripheral nerves for people with Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth (CMT).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $510,522 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134493-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11283991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with demyelinating forms of CMT (for example CMT1) who have reduced motor nerve conduction and evidence of myelin loss would be the likely candidates for future clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with primarily axonal forms of neuropathy or unrelated neurological conditions are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a protein that helps carry fatty acids into Schwann cells, the cells that make myelin around peripheral nerves. They will use laboratory experiments and animal models to see how this chaperone affects myelin formation and nerve function, building on prior work linking axonal signals to myelin lipid content. The team aims to understand whether boosting this pathway can increase healthy myelin without causing harm. Findings would guide whether this approach could move toward patient trials in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that restore myelin and improve strength, sensation, and mobility for people with demyelinating CMT.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier mouse studies showed that increasing axonal NRG1tIII signaling can boost myelin fatty acids and improve nerve function, while targeting a fatty‑acid chaperone is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
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Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belin, Sophie — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Belin, Sophie
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.