Investigating how a specific modification of a protein affects the spread of brain diseases.
Official title: How Serine-129 Phosphorylation Status Affects the Spreading of α-Synuclein Pathology in Vivo: a Study in Knock-in Animals
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10736995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a change in a brain protein called α-synuclein affects its behavior in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, using animal models to find out how this change might lead to problems in the brain, with the hope of discovering new ways to help people with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,192,716 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS133979-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10736995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative diseases not related to α-synuclein pathology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the phosphorylation of the protein α-synuclein influences its behavior in the brain, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. By using specially designed animal models, the researchers will explore how different levels of this modification can lead to the aggregation of α-synuclein, which is a key feature of several neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the spread of α-synuclein pathology, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow down or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of protein modifications in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dettmer, Ulf — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dettmer, Ulf
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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.