How the sugar maltose may protect brain proteins and reduce tau damage
REGULATION OF PROTEOSTASIS AND TAUOPATHY BY MALTOSE-INDUCED SIGNALING
Researchers are exploring whether the sugar maltose can help brains affected by Alzheimer’s keep proteins healthy and protect against tau-related damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know researchers plan to study how the sugar maltose and the enzyme Amyrel help brain cells keep proteins folded correctly and prevent tau-related damage. They will use fruit fly models and human brain organoids, along with molecular and cellular experiments, to track chaperone activity, protein clearance, and neuronal function. The team will examine the role of maltose transporters (SLC45 family) and map where inside cells maltose acts to preserve proteostasis. These lab studies aim to reveal mechanisms that could guide future approaches for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, especially those in earlier stages who might benefit from future therapies targeting proteostasis, would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer’s-related neurodegeneration or those with very advanced disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to preserve protein health in the brain and eventually slow or prevent some Alzheimer’s-related damage.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory studies in fruit flies and human brain organoids showed maltose and the Amyrel enzyme can preserve proteostasis and reduce tau-related problems, but human clinical benefit has not been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demontis, Fabio — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Demontis, Fabio
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.