Finding new ways to activate a protein to help treat Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Discovery of allosteric activators of phospholipase C-gamma2 to treat Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10916558 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how a special protein might help protect the brain from Alzheimer's, and it's looking for new treatments that could make a difference for people living with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $748,573 |
| NIH project number | 5R56AG083424-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916558 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk, particularly those carrying the ApoE4 gene variant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's or those without the ApoE4 gene variant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of activating a specific protein, phospholipase C-gamma2, to develop new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The study is based on genetic findings that suggest a variant of this protein may protect against cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. By focusing on how this protein functions in the brain, particularly in immune cells, the researchers aim to identify compounds that can enhance its activity. This approach could lead to innovative therapies that address the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in targeting similar pathways for Alzheimer's treatment, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Qisheng — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Qisheng
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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.