Chemical ways to support brain protein health to promote aging well
Official title: Chemical modulation of proteostasis to promote longevity and healthy aging
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11347355 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to help the aging brain keep proteins properly folded by carefully adjusting protein production, with potential relevance to Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $645,242 |
| NIH project number | 1R37AG100304-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347355 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a current clinical trial; findings may eventually translate to people with aging-related brain changes or Alzheimer’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
The grant currently uses animal models; direct patient benefit would require further development and human studies.
What this research studies
This project explores whether reducing the load on the brain’s protein-folding system can help aging brains stay healthier. It focuses on neuronal proteostasis and how protein synthesis in nerve cells could be tuned to lessen misfolding and aggregation. The work uses animal models to study how lowering translation at the right levels might free up folding capacity without harming memory-related processes. If successful, it could point toward new strategies to preserve brain health during aging and in Alzheimer’s-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to therapies that support brain health by reducing protein misfolding, potentially slowing age-related cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms shows that lowering protein synthesis can extend lifespan and improve proteostasis, but translating this to mammals is complex.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petrascheck, Michael — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Petrascheck, Michael
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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.