Discovering new compounds to target a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase ligand discovery for Alzheimer's disease

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11168156

This study is working on a new imaging tool to help see a protein called PARP1 in the brain, which is important for understanding Alzheimer's disease, and it could lead to better treatments for people with this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11168156 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new imaging tool that targets poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1), a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By creating a specific ligand that can bind to PARP1, researchers aim to use positron emission tomography (PET) to visualize and quantify the activity of this protein in the living brain. This approach will help improve our understanding of how PARP1 contributes to neurodegeneration and could lead to better therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to fill a significant gap in current imaging capabilities for studying PARP1 in humans.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of neurodegenerative diseases that do not involve PARP1 dysregulation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant research on PARP1 in oncology, this approach for imaging PARP1 in the context of Alzheimer's disease is novel and has not been previously demonstrated.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.