Exploring how urate affects neurodegenerative diseases
Official title: Developing Tools to Understand an Alternative Fate of Urate in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10791928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a natural substance called urate might help protect against diseases like ALS and Parkinson's, especially since lower levels of urate seem to be connected to quicker disease progression and shorter survival, with the hope of finding new ways to improve care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R03NS128819-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10791928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS or Parkinson's Disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative diseases who have normal urate levels or are not experiencing oxidative stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of urate, a natural antioxidant, in neurodegenerative diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's Disease (PD). It aims to understand why low levels of urate are linked to faster disease progression and poorer survival rates. The researchers will explore how oxidative stress may alter urate's function and its potential impact on protein modification in the body. By examining these mechanisms, the study seeks to uncover new insights that could lead to better patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new understanding and potential therapeutic targets for improving the management of neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on urate levels in neurodegenerative diseases, this research explores a novel approach regarding urate's chemical modifications and their implications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frizzell, Norma — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Frizzell, Norma
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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.