Investigating how a protein affects brain cell death in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Role of mitochondrial GDAP1 in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11076289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called GDAP1 to see how it interacts with harmful substances in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, which could help us understand why brain cells get damaged and how we might protect them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083877-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of dementia or neurological disorders unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of a protein called GDAP1 in the context of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will explore how GDAP1 interacts with a toxic compound that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, potentially leading to neuron damage. By studying brain samples from patients and using advanced techniques, the team aims to uncover the mechanisms behind mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's. This could provide insights into why neurons die and how to protect them.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for protecting brain cells in Alzheimer's patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's, but this specific approach focusing on GDAP1 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiselyov, Kirill — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kiselyov, Kirill
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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.