Investigating how different types of dendritic spines respond to brain cell damage.
Official title: Determining the ultrastructural differences between dually and singly innervated dendritic spines and their changes following glutamate excitotoxicity using Cryo-Electron Tomography
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10830922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain tiny parts of brain cells change when there's too much of a chemical called glutamate, which can be harmful, and it's aimed at helping people understand and protect brain health in conditions like Alzheimer's and stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS132517-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10830922 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those who have experienced a stroke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological conditions or those not affected by age-related neurodegeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain brain structures, called dendritic spines, change when exposed to high levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can be harmful in excess. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to compare the stability of two types of dendritic spines—those that receive signals from both excitatory and inhibitory neurons versus those that only receive excitatory signals. This could help clarify the mechanisms behind neuronal damage in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and stroke, which are critical for learning and memory. The findings may provide insights into how to protect these structures from damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for protecting brain cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neuronal structures and their responses to excitotoxicity, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Erik David — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Erik David
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.