Creating brain models to test treatments for ALS and frontotemporal dementia
Official title: Mature brain organoid platform for therapeutic screening for ALS/FTD
Funded at Synapticure, INC. · NIH-10759584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating tiny 3D brain models from patient cells to help find better ways to diagnose and treat ALS and frontotemporal dementia, making it easier to understand these conditions and discover new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Synapticure, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kenilworth, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $499,999 |
| NIH project number | 1R43NS134458-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10759584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with ALS or FTD, as well as those with a family history of these conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurological disorders unrelated to ALS or FTD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new 3D brain organoid platform derived from patient cells to better model and screen for treatments related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). By using patient-induced pluripotent stem cells, the researchers create mature brain organoids that mimic the disease features of ALS and FTD more accurately than current models. This innovative approach aims to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic options that could lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for these debilitating conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments and diagnostic tools for ALS and FTD patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using patient-derived models for studying neurodegenerative diseases, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Synapticure, INC.
Kenilworth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghaffari, Layla — Synapticure, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ghaffari, Layla
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.