Boosting vitamin A and gene activity in the brain's memory center
The hippocampal dentate gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease: boosting transcription of retinoic acid-sensitive genes through vitamin A supplementation and HDAC inhibition
['FUNDING_R01'] · TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIS CENTER · NIH-11323597
This research aims to see whether vitamin A supplements together with drugs that boost gene activity can restore key memory-related genes in older adults and people with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIS CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LUBBOCK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11323597 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is focusing on the dentate gyrus, a part of the hippocampus important for memory that is vulnerable in aging and Alzheimer's. They analyzed donated human brain gene data and found that genes controlled by retinoic acid (a vitamin A form) are turned down in Alzheimer’s, and they will use lab and animal experiments to test whether restoring retinoic acid levels and blocking gene-silencing enzymes (HDACs) brings those genes back. The work looks at oxidative stress, vitamin A biology, and how these influence gene activity in the memory center. The goal is to link findings from human brain tissue with preclinical tests of vitamin A supplementation and HDAC inhibition to guide future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related memory decline or Alzheimer's disease and families interested in brain donation are the most directly relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate experimental treatment benefit or those without memory problems are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this lab- and tissue-based work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to vitamin A–based or gene-activating strategies that help protect memory and slow Alzheimer's-related decline.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown that restoring retinoic acid signaling or blocking HDACs can improve memory-related gene activity, but antioxidant and HDAC approaches have not yet produced clear success in human Alzheimer's trials.
Where this research is happening
LUBBOCK, UNITED STATES
- TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIS CENTER — LUBBOCK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LAWRENCE, JOHN JOSHUA — TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIS CENTER
- Study coordinator: LAWRENCE, JOHN JOSHUA
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