Endosomal traffic changes at synapses linked to alpha-synuclein in neurodegenerative disease
Official title: Mechanisms of Endosomal Dysfunction at Synapses in A-Synuclein Pathology
Funded at Georgia Southern University · NIH-11134758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how different forms of alpha-synuclein mess with the tiny packets that carry messages inside nerve cells, aiming to understand what goes wrong in diseases like Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Southern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Statesboro, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $193,055 |
| NIH project number | 4R00NS126575-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for synucleinopathies (e.g., Parkinson’s disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies) in whom future translation of these findings could inform therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those without synucleinopathy-related pathology are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic mechanistic research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how various alpha-synuclein shapes affect endosomal trafficking at nerve cell synapses using a lamprey vertebrate model. They will deliver purified alpha-synuclein species directly into synapses to observe changes in presynaptic structures and vesicle movement. The study focuses on identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms behind synaptic dysfunction in synucleinopathies. Findings could highlight targets to protect synapses and slow disease progression. This work builds on preliminary data showing monomeric alpha-synuclein may disrupt endosomal trafficking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how alpha-synuclein damages synapses could guide development of therapies to preserve nerve cell communication in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown alpha-synuclein can disrupt vesicle trafficking, but this project tests specific species and mechanisms in a vertebrate model, representing a novel extension.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roman-Vendrell, Cristina — Georgia Southern University
- Study coordinator: Roman-Vendrell, Cristina
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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.