How the solvent trichloroethylene may damage cell recycling and contribute to Parkinson’s disease
The role of lysosomal impairment in trichloroethylene induced Parkinsonian neurodegeneration
This work examines whether exposure to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene harms cells' waste-removal systems and contributes to Parkinson’s disease in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248054 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use cells and adult animal models to mimic exposure to the common solvent trichloroethylene and observe its effects on lysosomes, the cell’s recycling and waste-removal system. They will measure whether this exposure leads to buildup of misfolded α-synuclein protein and loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The team will also study how the Parkinson’s-linked protein LRRK2 changes lysosomal function and whether that interaction explains combined genetic and environmental risk. Experiments will compare exposed and unexposed samples and use molecular tools to track enzyme activity, protein aggregation, and neuron health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant is focused on laboratory and animal research and does not directly enroll people in a clinical trial at this stage.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or those with movement disorders unrelated to Parkinson’s disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain how a common environmental contaminant raises Parkinson’s risk and point to ways to prevent exposure-related cases or develop treatments that protect lysosomal function.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical studies, including data from this lab, have shown that TCE exposure can impair lysosomes, increase α-synuclein accumulation, and cause dopaminergic neuron loss in rodents, but evidence in people is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Miranda, Briana — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: De Miranda, Briana
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.