Developing drugs to target proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Targeting AbcA1 and Ldlr production for the Discoveryof Alzheimer's disease Drugs
Funded at California State University Fresno · NIH-11059218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins affect Alzheimer's disease and aims to create new small molecules that can help boost good proteins while lowering harmful ones, with the goal of reducing brain plaque buildup, and it's being tested in lab-grown human brain cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Fresno NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fresno, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $139,897 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145547-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with genetic predispositions such as the APOE4 allele.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those who do not carry the APOE4 allele may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, by investigating the roles of specific proteins, including Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) and Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR). The researchers aim to create small organic molecules that can enhance the production of beneficial proteins like AbcA1 and LDLR while reducing harmful levels of ApoE. By doing so, they hope to decrease the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study involves laboratory experiments using human brain cell lines to test the effectiveness of these compounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer's patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways for Alzheimer's treatment, indicating that this approach could be a viable avenue for developing new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Fresno
Fresno, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maitra, Santanu — California State University Fresno
- Study coordinator: Maitra, Santanu
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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.