Investigating genetic factors affecting brain protein accumulation in dementia and Parkinson's disease
Official title: Determining the Interacting Effects of GBA, SNCA, and APOE on a-Synuclein Pathology Severity in Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10999445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes might affect the severity of symptoms in people with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease, helping us understand why some folks have worse symptoms than others, even if their genes are similar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,670 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS130909-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson's disease, particularly those with known genetic mutations in GBA, SNCA, or APOE.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without these specific genetic mutations or those with other forms of dementia unrelated to α-synuclein pathology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how specific genetic factors, including mutations in the GBA, SNCA, and APOE genes, interact to influence the severity of α-synuclein pathology in conditions like dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. By examining the interplay between these genetic factors and different cell types, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain. Understanding these interactions could provide insights into why some individuals develop more severe symptoms than others, despite having similar genetic backgrounds. The research employs advanced genetic analysis and cellular models to investigate these complex relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potential new treatments for dementia and Parkinson's disease by targeting the underlying genetic interactions.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of genetic interactions in synucleinopathies is a growing field, this specific approach focusing on the interplay of GBA, SNCA, and APOE is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldman, Camille — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Goldman, Camille
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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.