GlcSph and thinking problems in Lewy body dementias
Role of GlcSph in cognitive deficits in Lewy body dementias
Researchers are looking at whether a fat-related molecule called GlcSph contributes to memory and thinking problems in people with Lewy body dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307637 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on Lewy body dementias, including Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, where thinking and memory worsen. Scientists will use genetic mouse models that carry a common GBA1 mutation to study how changes in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase and buildup of GlcSph affect brain cells and behavior. They will examine brain regions important for memory, such as the hippocampus, measure synaptic and biochemical changes, and look for links to α-synuclein (Lewy) pathology. The work builds on human genetic links between GBA1 and dementia to better explain why some people experience faster cognitive decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson’s disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, or Parkinson’s disease who carry GBA1 genetic variants and who are experiencing cognitive symptoms would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without Lewy body pathology or whose memory problems are due mainly to other conditions (for example, pure Alzheimer’s disease without Lewy bodies) may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to new ways to prevent or treat thinking and memory problems in Lewy body dementias.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research links GBA1 mutations to higher dementia risk and mouse models have shown hippocampal deficits, but directly targeting GlcSph as a mechanism for cognitive decline is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volpicelli-Daley, Laura a. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Volpicelli-Daley, Laura a.
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 below.