How the mitochondrial protein GDAP1 affects Alzheimer's disease
Role of mitochondrial GDAP1 in Alzheimer's disease
This project looks at whether a brain protein called GDAP1 helps protect nerve cells from harmful molecules in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317200 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare levels of GDAP1 in brain tissue and gene data from people with Alzheimer's and people without dementia. In the lab they will study how GDAP1 binds and neutralizes a toxic product of lipid damage called 4-HNE and how that interaction affects mitochondrial health. The team will use cell and molecular experiments and analyses of human brain datasets to test whether lower GDAP1 makes neurons more vulnerable to oxidative damage. Findings will come from work done at the University of Pittsburgh and partner datasets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, and older adults who can provide brain-related biospecimens or participate in comparison cohorts, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's, younger individuals, or anyone seeking immediate symptom relief are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic and translational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If true, the work could point to new ways to protect brain cells in Alzheimer's or lead to therapies that boost GDAP1 function or limit 4-HNE damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work linking oxidative damage and mitochondrial proteins has suggested targets for neuroprotection, but focusing specifically on GDAP1 in Alzheimer's is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiselyov, Kirill — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kiselyov, Kirill
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.