How brain cells move and translate messages to stay healthy in Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Official title: Effect of FTD/ALS mutations in RNA binding proteins on mRNA transport and local translation
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11594227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how RNA binding proteins affect the way brain cells transport and translate messages, which may influence Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG088305-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11594227 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with FTD/ALS-related mutations or dementia with similar RNA-binding protein disruptions who could participate in related follow-up studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without these specific mutations or without a potential follow-on study may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use patient-derived neurons with FTD/ALS mutations to map how RNA messages are moved inside neurons and where they are translated. They will apply advanced techniques to see if messages travel in single granules or in multiple components, and how local protein production is directed to mitochondria and other destinations. The goal is to uncover the basic cellular steps that go wrong in dementia-related diseases and how these processes could become targets for therapies. This work may help identify new points where treatment could support neuron health and communication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify new cellular targets to protect neurons and slow progression in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies using iPSC-derived neurons and ribosome profiling have shown it’s possible to map RNA transport and local translation in neurons, but direct links to FTD/ALS mutations remain under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryan, Veronica Hanley — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Ryan, Veronica Hanley
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.