How genes and protein folding affect memory in Alzheimer's disease
Understanding the molecular mechanism of memory from single-cell gene expression to protein folding
This project looks at how gene activity and the way proteins fold may cause memory problems in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163521 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will look at individual brain cells from Alzheimer's models and human samples to see which genes turn on and off during memory formation. They will follow how those gene messages are made into proteins and whether those proteins fold and go to the right place in cells. The team is focusing on a family of genes called Nr4A to find molecular steps that break down in Alzheimer's. The goal is to connect these small molecular changes to the memory loss people experience.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who are interested in contributing samples or joining related future clinical studies.
Not a fit: People with memory problems caused by non-neurodegenerative conditions or healthy volunteers are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic molecular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or restore memory by targeting gene regulation or protein-folding pathways in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked gene activity to memory, but directly connecting Nr4A-driven transcription to protein folding in Alzheimer's is a relatively new approach with limited direct clinical success so far.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chatterjee, Snehajyoti — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Chatterjee, Snehajyoti
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.