How cells' recycling systems are altered by Alzheimer's risk genes
Endolysosomal Proteome Landscapes Through the Lens of Neurodegenerative Risk Alleles
Researchers will learn how genes that raise Alzheimer's risk change the way brain cells recycle and break down proteins, which could help people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194506 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps the proteins inside neurons' recycling and waste-removal systems to see how different Alzheimer's risk genes change them. The team uses lab-grown human neurons and detailed protein analysis to compare the effects of specific genetic variants. By looking across many risk alleles, they want to find whether diverse genes produce common breakdowns in protein clearance. The findings could point to parts of the recycling system that new treatments might target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or a family history or known genetic risk for Alzheimer's may be especially interested in these findings and potential future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose memory problems come from non-neurodegenerative causes or those in very advanced stages of dementia are less likely to receive direct benefit from this basic lab research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to help cells clear toxic proteins and lead to treatments that slow or prevent Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked endolysosomal dysfunction to Alzheimer's and proteomics in human neurons has been informative, but this systematic allele-by-allele mapping is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harper, Jeffrey W — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Harper, Jeffrey W
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.