How the ABAT enzyme helps medulloblastoma spread in children
Official title: The Role of GABA Transaminase ABAT in Pediatric Brain Tumor Medulloblastoma Development and Spread
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11310192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether the enzyme ABAT helps medulloblastoma tumors in children survive and spread through the brain and spinal fluid.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $538,401 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133038-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children (typically ages 0–11) diagnosed with medulloblastoma whose families are willing to provide tumor tissue or cerebrospinal fluid samples during surgery or treatment would be the most relevant participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without medulloblastoma, adults with different brain tumors, or children who cannot provide tissue/CSF samples would not be expected to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will compare tumor cells found in the cerebellum and in the cerebrospinal fluid to see which cells are likely to seed dangerous spread. They will measure ABAT levels and related metabolic and epigenetic changes in those cells using lab sequencing techniques and chromatin assays. Scientists will use cell models and animal experiments to test how changing ABAT activity alters tumor behavior and the ability to survive in the spinal fluid. The team aims to link these lab findings back to human tumor and fluid samples to guide future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop or slow leptomeningeal spread of medulloblastoma and improve survival for affected children.
How similar studies have gone: Early preclinical work linking tumor metabolism and epigenetic changes to cancer spread shows promise, but targeting ABAT specifically is a novel approach that has only initial supporting data.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neman-Ebrahim, Josh — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Neman-Ebrahim, Josh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating how a specific enzyme affects the development and spread of pediatric brain tumors.
This study is looking at how a common brain tumor in kids, called medulloblastoma, spreads in the body and is exploring a specific protein that might help us understand how these tumors grow and become dangerous.
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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.