How the brain protein HDAC9 affects memory and Alzheimer's
Neuronal HDAC9, Synaptic Plasticity and Alzheimer's Disease
This work looks at whether lower levels of a brain protein called HDAC9 lead to memory loss and worsen Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers will change HDAC9 levels in specific brain cells and watch what happens to memory and nerve connections. They will use aging and APP/PS1 mouse models of Alzheimer’s and study human brain tissue to compare findings. Experiments include boosting or deleting HDAC9 in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, measuring memory-related behaviors, and examining synaptic function and pathology. The goal is to link HDAC9 changes to age- and Alzheimer-related brain decline so new treatment ideas can emerge.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults with Alzheimer's disease or people willing to donate brain tissue or take part in affiliated memory research at Augusta University or its partners.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's, those with unrelated neurological conditions, or anyone expecting an immediate treatment benefit are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to HDAC9 as a target to protect synapses and memory in aging and Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse experiments and analyses of human brain tissue show reduced HDAC9 in aging and AD and that changing HDAC9 levels affects memory in animals, but translating this into treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Xin-Yun — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Lu, Xin-Yun
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.