Investigating how Selenoprotein I helps protect against nerve cell damage.
Official title: The role of Selenoprotein I in mitigating neurodegeneration.
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-10725097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special enzyme called SELENOI, which needs selenium from our diet, helps keep brain cells healthy and may protect against nerve damage, especially for people with hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $430,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS133944-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10725097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with hereditary spastic paraplegia or those at risk for neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative diseases unrelated to Selenoprotein I or dietary selenium may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Selenoprotein I (SELENOI), an enzyme that requires dietary selenium for its function and plays a crucial role in the synthesis of important phospholipids in brain cells. By studying how SELENOI contributes to the production of these phospholipids, particularly in the central nervous system, the research aims to understand its protective effects against neurodegeneration. The approach includes using mouse models to explore the mechanisms of SELENOI and its impact on nerve cell health, especially in conditions like hereditary spastic paraplegia. Patients may benefit from insights gained about dietary selenium and its role in brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of Selenoprotein I is less explored, similar studies on antioxidant mechanisms in neurodegeneration have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pitts, Matthew William — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Pitts, Matthew William
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.