Finding new treatments for Niemann-Pick Type C disease

Therapeutic Targets for Niemann-Pick Type C Neurodegeneration

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10908282

This study is looking at Niemann-Pick Type C disease to find new ways to help people with this condition by understanding how a specific gene affects cholesterol in brain cells, since there are no treatments available right now.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10908282 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease, a severe genetic disorder that leads to neurodegeneration and early death. The team aims to identify critical targets in the disease's progression that can be used to develop new therapies. By studying the role of the NPC1 gene and its impact on cholesterol trafficking in brain cells, the researchers hope to discover ways to reduce harmful lipid accumulation and improve patient outcomes. This work is essential as there are currently no approved treatments for NPC.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C disease, particularly those with mutations in the NPC1 gene.

Not a fit: Patients with other forms of neurodegenerative diseases unrelated to Niemann-Pick Type C may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective therapies that modify the course of Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in related areas, this specific approach to targeting NPC disease is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions CNS Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.