How ubiquitin-related protein problems contribute to brain degenerative diseases
Official title: Mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases: intersections with ubiquitin pathways
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11330315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how failures in the ubiquitin-linked protein cleanup system in brain cells lead to age-related neurodegenerative diseases and aims to help people with conditions like Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,087,708 |
| NIH project number | 5R35NS122302-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with age-related neurodegenerative conditions—such as Huntington's disease, ALS, Parkinson's disease, or other protein-aggregation disorders—would be the most relevant patient group for future clinical applications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological illnesses or acute injuries are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-mechanism research.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are focusing on proteins that normally help manage damaged or excess proteins but in disease can clump together and harm brain cells. The team studies how ubiquitin signaling and proteasome pathways change in affected brain regions and cell types, including work on ubiquilins and polyglutamine-related proteins. They will use a mix of lab models, molecular tools, and advanced imaging and biochemical methods to map where and how these pathways fail. The ultimate goal is to identify points where new therapies could prevent or reverse toxic protein aggregation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for treatments that prevent or clear toxic protein clumps and slow or stop neurodegeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Related basic and translational studies on ubiquitin and proteasome pathways have provided promising leads, but translating those findings into proven patient treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paulson, Henry L — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Paulson, Henry L
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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.