Environmental toxins, genes, and brain-cell interactions in Parkinson's disease
Toxicant-induced neurotoxicity mediated by glia-neuron and gene-environment interactions in Parkinson's disease
Looks at whether lowering a protein called Drp1 can protect dopamine nerve cells from damage linked to Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research uses lab models of Parkinson's disease — including cells and animals exposed to manganese, α-synuclein, and certain gut bacteria — to replicate environmental and genetic factors that harm dopamine neurons. Scientists examine how glial (support) cells influence neuron vulnerability and how mitochondrial fission and fusion, controlled by the protein Drp1, affect cell survival. They reduce Drp1 function in these models to see if that lowers neurotoxicity and preserves dopamine neurons. The team builds on earlier NIEHS-funded work to identify targets that could eventually lead to human treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or those with genetic mutations that increase PD risk would be the most likely future candidates for therapies arising from this work.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's, or those with very advanced disease and extensive neuron loss, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these early, laboratory-focused experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that slow or prevent dopamine neuron loss in Parkinson's disease by targeting Drp1 and mitochondrial dynamics.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cell and animal studies support targeting mitochondrial fission and Drp1 to reduce neurotoxicity, but effective therapies for people have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Miami, United States
- Florida International University — Miami, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tieu, Kim — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Tieu, Kim
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 below.