Excitability dysfunction in ALS and FTD linked to TDP-43
Official title: Excitability dysfunction mechanisms underlying the TDP43-dependent ALS and FTD pathogenesis
Funded at Wright State University · NIH-11601035 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused research opportunity to understand how nerve cell electrical activity goes wrong in ALS and related dementia linked to TDP-43.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wright State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dayton, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $33,512 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS131816-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11601035 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with ALS or ALS-FTD spectrum conditions whose disease mechanism may involve TDP-43 pathology, informing future translational strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without TDP-43–related pathology or those not eligible for future translational trials may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies how motor nerve cells lose or gain electrical control in ALS and related frontotemporal dementia, using a mouse model that mimics human TDP-43 pathology to uncover when excitability becomes harmful or protective. By comparing new rNLS8 mice with prior ALS models, researchers aim to map when and where excitability changes happen in brain and spinal cord. The goal is to translate these insights into targets that could slow or protect neurons in people living with ALS or FTD. The work will involve detailed physiological measurements and analysis of neuronal circuits to clarify conflicting findings from earlier studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide development of therapies that stabilize motor neuron excitability and potentially slow disease progression in ALS and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous ALS models showed both increased and decreased excitability; this project extends that work to a human-relevant TDP-43 model, with potential for clear translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Wright State University
Dayton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elbasiouny, Sherif M — Wright State University
- Study coordinator: Elbasiouny, Sherif M
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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.