How lithium affects enzymes that control brain signaling
Molecular mechanisms of lithium action on kinases
This work explains how lithium changes key enzymes that control brain signaling for people taking lithium for bipolar disorder or at risk for dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180996 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use high-powered computer simulations and lab experiments to see how lithium interacts with the parts of enzymes that control their activity. They focus on human protein kinases, some of which are affected by lithium and some not, to find why responses differ. The team combines molecular mechanics, quantum-level modeling, and targeted mutations guided by bioinformatics and evolutionary clues to test which enzyme features bind lithium. Results will map lithium-sensitive kinases and attempt to make enzyme variants that resist lithium to separate direct enzyme effects from other drug actions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Best candidates for any future related studies would be people taking lithium for bipolar disorder or individuals interested in preventing dementia.
Not a fit: People without mood disorders or those not taking lithium are unlikely to get direct benefits from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal why lithium helps some people and guide safer, more targeted medicines that keep its benefits with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab work has shown lithium can alter many kinases, but combining quantum-level simulations with mutagenesis to explain why individual human kinases differ is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varma, Sameer — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Varma, Sameer
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.