How a small RNA (miR-129-2) may make entorhinal cortex cells vulnerable in early Alzheimer’s
Regulation of entorhinal cortex layer II vulnerability by a cell-type specific miRNA
Researchers will test whether a small RNA called miR-129-2 makes certain neurons in the entorhinal cortex more likely to develop Alzheimer’s-related tau changes and die, which could matter for people at risk of Alzheimer’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327236 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on layer II neurons in the entorhinal cortex, an area that shows early damage in Alzheimer’s disease. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing of brain tissue and computational network analysis, the team will map where miR-129-2 is expressed and how it differs between humans and mice. They will examine how changing miR-129-2 levels affects key Alzheimer-related targets such as MAPT (tau) and RBFOX1 in laboratory models. The goal is to understand whether miR-129-2 acts as a hub that drives vulnerability of these specific neurons.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with early-stage Alzheimer’s or those who can donate relevant brain tissue or other samples from the entorhinal cortex would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Those without Alzheimer pathology or people seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to protect vulnerable entorhinal cortex neurons and open paths toward therapies that slow early Alzheimer’s progression.
How similar studies have performed: Research on microRNAs in neurodegeneration shows promise, but linking miR-129-2 specifically to tau (MAPT) and RBFOX1 in entorhinal vulnerability is a relatively new and not yet proven approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roussarie, Jean-Pierre — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Roussarie, Jean-Pierre
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.