How a fat called ceramide in tiny brain particles may worsen Alzheimer’s
Function of ceramide in extracellular vesicle-mediated neurodegenerative disease
This research looks at whether stopping a fat called ceramide in tiny particles released by brain cells could reduce damage and memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297635 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study extracellular vesicles (tiny particles) released by brain support cells that carry ceramide and bind to amyloid beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. They will identify the enzymes that make ceramide and explore why blocking one enzyme helped male mice but not females. Lab experiments and animal tests will be used to see if preventing these ceramide-rich particles from forming can protect neurons and improve memory. The team will also work toward drug approaches that target the ceramide pathway with attention to sex-specific effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Likely candidates for future trials would be people with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment who are willing to consider experimental treatments targeting ceramide pathways.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer’s, those whose cognitive problems come from other causes, or individuals with very advanced disease may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new drugs that block ceramide-containing brain particles and slow or prevent neuron loss and memory decline in Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and mouse studies showed that blocking the enzyme nSMase2 reduced Alzheimer’s pathology and improved memory in male mice, but the approach is still novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bieberich, Erhard — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Bieberich, Erhard
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.