Brain waste-clearance (glymphatic) in Huntington's disease
Emerging role of glymphatic clearance in Huntington's disease
This project looks at whether problems in the brain's waste‑clearance (glymphatic) system contribute to Huntington's disease and could point to new treatment ideas for people with HD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307632 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is studying the brain-wide glymphatic drainage system and how it is altered in Huntington's disease, focusing on water channels called AQP4 and their supporting protein α1-syntrophin. They use a molecular MRI technique developed by the group to visualize fluid exchange and clearance in the brain, alongside laboratory experiments on the molecular machinery that controls AQP4 localization. The work combines model-based experiments and analysis of human HD brain samples to link glymphatic dysfunction with disease markers. The overall aim is to determine whether restoring or supporting glymphatic clearance could become a therapeutic target for HD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Huntington's disease or individuals who carry the HD mutation who are willing to undergo imaging or provide biospecimens for research in collaboration with Johns Hopkins.
Not a fit: People without Huntington's disease or those unable to travel for imaging or donate samples are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to clear toxic proteins from the brain and lead to treatments that slow or delay progression of Huntington's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related glymphatic research has shown promise in Alzheimer's models for clearing amyloid, but applying glymphatic-targeting approaches to Huntington's disease is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Wenzhen — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Duan, Wenzhen
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.