Exploring how oxidative stress and ferroptosis affect frontotemporal dementia
Official title: Investigating the role of ROS and ferroptosis in frontotemporal dementia
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11606577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using human iPSC-derived neurons from people with frontotemporal dementia to see how reactive oxygen species and a cell death process called ferroptosis relate to disease features.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $565,022 |
| NIH project number | 1R56NS143102-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with frontotemporal dementia whose cells can be reprogrammed into iPSCs for study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without FTD or with non-FTD dementias may not directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project will use lab models derived from patients with frontotemporal dementia to study how oxidative stress impacts neuron health and tau pathology. Researchers will examine ROS, ferroptosis, and neurite integrity in human iPSC-derived neurons and in a transplantation model. They will also test whether the inflammatory protein osteopontin influences ROS production and mitochondrial function in these cells. The goal is to identify molecular targets and potential compounds that could help treat FTD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or compounds to slow or alter the course of frontotemporal dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links ROS and ferroptosis to neurodegenerative diseases, but their role in FTD is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hargus, Gunnar — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Hargus, Gunnar
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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.