How the GSK3α enzyme affects Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Roles of the glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha isoform in Alzheimers disease pathophysiology
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11457044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing whether targeting a specific brain enzyme called GSK3α can reduce the brain changes and memory problems linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $541,829 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082388-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment could be the eventual candidates for therapies that come from this work, especially in early-stage disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's or those with very advanced late-stage disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work in the short term.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a particular enzyme, GSK3α, that may worsen Alzheimer's-related brain damage and memory loss. Scientists are turning down the activity of GSK3α or the related GSK3β in mouse models that mimic Alzheimer's to see which isoform drives harmful changes. They will also try new drugs that selectively block GSK3α to compare effects on brain pathology and cognitive function. Results will guide whether isoform-specific drugs could be safer and more effective than non-selective GSK3 blockers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more targeted Alzheimer's therapies that protect memory with fewer side effects than earlier non-selective GSK3 inhibitors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research links GSK3 overactivity to Alzheimer's and non-selective GSK3 inhibitors showed biological effects but problematic toxicity, so isoform-selective targeting is a newer and largely unproven approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Tao — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ma, Tao
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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.