Investigating a new pathway in Huntington's disease
Nuclear sphingosine kinase 2 in Huntington disease
This study is looking at how a specific pathway in the brain might affect nerve cell health in people with Huntington's disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10851725 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by genetic mutations. It explores the role of a specific pathway involving sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) and its interaction with a protein called ZHX2, which may contribute to neuron toxicity. By studying how these proteins affect neuron survival, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients with Huntington's disease. The approach includes characterizing the SK2/ZHX2 pathway in neurons and assessing its role in the disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Huntington's disease.
Not a fit: Patients with other neurodegenerative disorders not related to Huntington's disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that promote neuron survival in patients with Huntington's disease.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific SK2/ZHX2 pathway is novel, similar approaches targeting transcriptional regulation in neurodegenerative diseases have shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsvetkov, Andrey — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Tsvetkov, Andrey
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.