How brain cells protect themselves from stress
Pro-Survival Responses to Neurocellular Stress
This work looks at how neurons reorganize their internal skeleton to help protect people with Alzheimer's disease and after brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231270 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, scientists at UC San Diego are studying a process called “actinification,” where neurons rearrange their internal actin filaments during stress. They will use lab-grown neurons and animal models and apply biochemistry and cell biology methods to change the levels and activity of a protein called INF2 and watch how neurons respond. The team will measure whether these changes help neurons survive excitatory stress and whether synaptic connections are preserved. The goal is to learn mechanisms that might be turned into treatments to protect brain cells in Alzheimer’s and after acute injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer’s disease or those who have experienced acute brain injury or stroke would be most likely to benefit from future therapies based on this work.
Not a fit: Healthy people without neurodegenerative disease or unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this early-stage laboratory research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to protect neurons and slow damage in Alzheimer’s disease or limit harm after stroke.
How similar studies have performed: This builds on a recent discovery of 'actinification' and lab studies suggest it helps neurons survive stress, but it is still early and has not yet been tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halpain, Shelley L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Halpain, Shelley L
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.