Calcium in cells: how it stays balanced and why it matters in Alzheimer’s
Official title: Deciphering Molecular Mechanisms of Calcium Homeostasis
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11392214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how calcium is kept in balance in our cells and how problems with this balance can contribute to Alzheimer’s-related conditions, using worm models to uncover key processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $407,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM145364-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias may benefit from future therapies informed by this work.
✕Less likely to help
The project itself involves basic research in model organisms and may not directly benefit individual patients in the near term.
What this research studies
This project looks at how calcium signals control important cell functions and what goes wrong when those signals are disrupted, which can lead to neurodegeneration. Scientists use the C. elegans worm to identify the cellular steps that regulate calcium handling and how defects in presenilin influence the connection between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. By mapping these pathways, they aim to reveal targets that could protect brain cells from calcium-related damage. Results could point toward new approaches for slowing or preventing symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new targets to preserve brain cell health and inform therapies for Alzheimer’s-related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in model organisms has highlighted conserved calcium signaling pathways that influence neurodegeneration, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Norman, Kenneth R — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Norman, Kenneth R
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.