How mutant Huntingtin affects the growth of brain support cells in Huntington's disease
Official title: Effect of mutant HTT on the development and maturation of astrocytes
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10903500 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a faulty protein related to Huntington's disease affects brain support cells called astrocytes, with the hope of finding out how these changes might contribute to the disease's development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $45,863 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS134306-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903500 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Huntington's disease or those at risk due to family history.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurodegenerative diseases unrelated to Huntington's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) in the development and maturation of astrocytes, which are crucial support cells in the brain. By examining how mHTT influences these cells during neurodevelopment, the study aims to uncover early molecular changes that may contribute to Huntington's disease (HD). The research utilizes advanced techniques like single-nuclei RNA sequencing to analyze astrocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse models of HD. The goal is to understand the dysfunction of astrocytes in HD and how this impacts the progression of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the mechanisms of Huntington's disease and potential therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burns, Mara — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Burns, Mara
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.