Investigating a specific form of the Huntingtin protein in Huntington's Disease
Official title: Examining the Role of a Pathogenic HTT Isoform, HTT1a, in Somatic Expansion and RNA Aggregation in Huntington's Disease
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10902689 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special version of a protein called HTT1a to see how it affects Huntington's Disease and how it interacts with the harmful parts of the disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve treatments for people living with HD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $33,780 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS137681-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902689 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, particularly those with expanded CAG repeats in the HTT gene.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of Huntington's Disease or those with other unrelated neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of a specific isoform of the Huntingtin protein, known as HTT1a, in the progression of Huntington's Disease (HD). It aims to explore how HTT1a interacts with mutant Huntingtin mRNA and protein aggregates, which are linked to the disease's symptoms. By using small interfering RNA (siRNA) techniques, the study will investigate the mechanisms that lead to the production of HTT1a and its impact on the disease's progression. The goal is to identify new therapeutic targets that could improve treatment options for patients with HD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that slow down or alter the progression of Huntington's Disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting HTT1a is novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding the molecular mechanisms of Huntington's Disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Sarah Jane — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Allen, Sarah Jane
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding CAG repeat instability in Huntington’s disease
A Huntington’s disease study explores why the CAG repeat in the HTT gene becomes unstable and leads to earlier disease, aiming to uncover factors that influence when and how the disease starts.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
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.