How bursts of brain activity may cause amyloid-beta to clump
Synaptic activity-driven Abeta generation and aggregation
This project looks at whether spikes of nerve-cell activity make amyloid-beta proteins form harmful clumps that relate to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11295471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work explores whether the low-pH compartments inside neurons plus high local amyloid-beta during bursts of synaptic activity cause the protein to aggregate. The team uses a new tiny electrochemical micro-immunoelectrode to measure different forms of amyloid-beta every minute in awake, moving mice for hours to link activity with protein shape and amount. They will also test whether excitatory (glutamatergic) or inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons are the main sources of these aggregates. The goal is to explain how normal or abnormal brain activity could start or spread amyloid pathology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll patients; it is preclinical lab and animal research focused on mechanisms relevant to Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: People with advanced Alzheimer's are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-based research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the findings could point to ways to prevent or reduce harmful amyloid-beta clumps by targeting abnormal brain activity or the cellular steps that cause aggregation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown brain activity can increase amyloid-beta release, but continuously measuring aggregation in awake animals with this micro-immunoelectrode is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cirrito, John R — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Cirrito, John R
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.