Investigating how a specific immune pathway in neurons affects ALS and frontotemporal dementia.

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research explores the role of the STING pathway in neurons and its impact on neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The study focuses on how DNA damage, particularly from the C9orf72 gene and TDP-43 protein, activates STING in neurons, potentially leading to neurodegeneration. By examining human brain samples and using advanced models, the researchers aim to understand the relationship between STING activation and disease progression. This could provide insights into new therapeutic targets for these conditions.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Massachusetts General Hospital
  Boston, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Wainger, Brian Jason — Massachusetts General Hospital
• Study coordinator: Wainger, Brian Jason

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.

  This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.

  NIH research Methodist Hospital Research Institute · Houston, United States · NIH-9980670

• C9orf72 ALS/FTD Prevent: prepping for future treatment

  This grant aims to get ready for a preventive treatment for people who carry the C9orf72 genetic change that can lead to ALS or frontotemporal dementia.

  NIH research University of Miami School of Medicine · Coral Gables, United States · NIH-11431628

• Understanding how a genetic repeat causes harmful protein production in ALS/FTD

  Aimed at uncovering how a genetic repeat in the C9orf72 gene triggers abnormal protein production that damages nerve cells in ALS and FTD.

  NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11384771

• How C9orf72 RNA repeats make toxic proteins in ALS and FTD

  This research looks for how a repeated RNA sequence in the C9orf72 gene creates toxic proteins that can harm people with ALS or FTD.

  NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11194424

• Cell and tissue changes that lead to sporadic ALS and frontotemporal dementia

  This project looks at how physical changes inside cells and in their tissue can make TDP‑43 protein clump in people with sporadic ALS and frontotemporal dementia.

  NIH research Columbia University Health Sciences · New York, United States · NIH-11163326

• Investigating new treatments for frontotemporal dementia and ALS using gene editing

  This study is looking at ways to help people with frontotemporal dementia and ALS by using a special gene-editing tool to fix a harmful gene that causes these diseases.

  NIH research J. David Gladstone Institutes · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11089394

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.