How glutamate receptors affect Alzheimer's and other brain conditions
Glutamate receptors and human neurological disease
Researchers are looking at how changes in glutamate receptors change brain-cell communication to help people with Alzheimer's and related neurological disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program uses lab methods like electrophysiology, molecular biology, and high-resolution cryoEM plus modern genetics and robotics to study postsynaptic glutamate receptors. The team will study rare human genetic variants in GRIN genes and measure how those changes alter receptor function. They will also create and test subunit-selective compounds in proof-of-concept lab studies to find ways to modulate receptor activity. The goal is to connect human genetics and structure with potential therapeutic strategies that could guide precision treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, related dementia syndromes, or known genetic variants in glutamate receptor genes (for example GRIN1/2A/2B/2D) would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's or other glutamate-receptor-linked neurological conditions, or anyone needing an immediate clinical treatment, would likely not see direct benefit from this basic research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more targeted drugs and better matching of therapies to patients with Alzheimer's or other glutamate-related brain disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous drugs targeting NMDA-type glutamate receptors (for example memantine) have had clinical use, but this program applies newer genetic and structural approaches and subunit-selective strategies that are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Traynelis, Stephen F — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Traynelis, Stephen F
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.