Investigating how sex and estrogen affect Parkinson's disease and related cognitive impairments in mice.
Official title: Biologically Novel Mouse Models of PD with Progressive Synucleinopathy and Early-Onset Tremor and Motor Deficits Responsive to L-DOPA
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10880982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how differences between men and women, along with the hormone estrogen, affect the progression of Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies, using special mouse models to find new ways to help treat 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 | May 15, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,344,552 |
| NIH project number | 2RF1NS109510-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with early-onset Parkinson's disease or Dementia with Lewy bodies, particularly those who are female.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced stages of Parkinson's disease or those who do not have a diagnosis of PD or DLB may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of sex differences and estrogen in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) using innovative mouse models. The study aims to explore how the aggregation of a protein called α-synuclein, which is linked to these diseases, varies with age and sex. By manipulating estrogen levels in these models, researchers hope to uncover protective pathways that could lead to new treatments for PD and DLB. The findings could provide insights into why females often experience milder symptoms and later onset of these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, sex-specific treatments that modify the progression of Parkinson's disease and improve cognitive function in affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sex differences 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: Nuber, Silke — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nuber, Silke
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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.