Investigating how a specific protein affects lipid metabolism in the brain and its role in aging and neurodegeneration.
Official title: Role of TTYH1 in mobilizing lipids and ApoE in glia: Implications for brain aging and neurodegeneration
Funded at Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-11076644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called TTYH1 affects fat processing in brain cells, especially as we age and in conditions like Alzheimer's, to help us understand what might go wrong in brain cell function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $336,569 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081379-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease or those experiencing early symptoms of cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the TTYH1 protein in lipid metabolism within brain cells, particularly in relation to aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By examining how TTYH1 interacts with another protein, ApoE, and its impact on lipid processing in glial cells, the study aims to uncover the molecular pathways that may contribute to brain cell dysfunction. The researchers will use advanced techniques, including molecular genetics and lipidomic analyses, to explore these mechanisms in both human cells and model organisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the biological processes underlying Alzheimer's disease, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on TTYH1 is novel, previous research has shown that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Ching-on — Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
- Study coordinator: Wong, Ching-on
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.