Investigating how certain protein structures contribute to toxicity in Alzheimer's disease.
Conformational heterogeneity and alpha-sheet: Determinants of toxicity in Abeta variants
This study is looking at how certain proteins related to Alzheimer's disease change shape and clump together in harmful ways, and it's testing new tiny molecules that could help stop this process to potentially protect brain cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10814783 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of conformational changes in proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, particularly how they misfold and aggregate into toxic forms. The team has identified a unique structure called α-sheet that appears in various amyloid-related proteins. They are designing small peptides that mimic this structure to inhibit the formation of toxic aggregates. The effectiveness of these peptides will be tested in laboratory settings, including neuroblastoma cells, to evaluate their potential in targeting harmful protein forms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk of developing it due to genetic factors.
Not a fit: Patients with non-amyloid related forms of dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting toxic protein aggregates.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting amyloid aggregates, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daggett, Valerie D — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Daggett, Valerie D
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 below.