Investigating protein aggregation in Lewy Body Disease using zebrafish models
Official title: A new in vivo zebrafish model to study alpha-synuclein aggregation in Lewy Body Disease
Funded at Lewis and Clark College · NIH-10731005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called alpha-synuclein clumps together in brain cells and affects communication between them, using zebrafish to help understand this process better, which could eventually lead to new treatments for Lewy Body Disease and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lewis and Clark College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $411,150 |
| NIH project number | 1R15NS128688-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10731005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease or related neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative diseases not associated with alpha-synuclein aggregation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how alpha-synuclein protein aggregates in neurons contribute to Lewy Body Disease and related conditions. By utilizing a zebrafish model, researchers aim to explore the mechanisms behind protein aggregation and its effects on neuronal communication. The study will examine specific mutations and modifications of alpha-synuclein to determine their roles in disease progression. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of treatments that halt or slow the progression of Lewy Body Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using animal models to study protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lewis and Clark College
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weissman, Tamily a — Lewis and Clark College
- Study coordinator: Weissman, Tamily a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Gut-immune changes in Lewy Body Diseases and early signs
A study at Stanford will explore how the gut and its immune system may be linked to Lewy Body diseases like Parkinson’s and related conditions, with findings that could point to new ways to understand and someday treat these illnesses.
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Gut-immune system links in Lewy Body Disease
Researchers are studying how the gut and immune system may influence Lewy body diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, aiming to uncover new clues that could lead to better diagnosis and treatment in the future.
-
Amygdala’s role in Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s disease
A clinician-science training grant to help Dr. D. Luke Fischer study how the amygdala may drive the spread of disease in people with Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Gut immune changes in Lewy body disorders
This project looks at whether changes in gut immune signals and gut bacteria are linked to Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and people with early signs like REM sleep behavior disorder.
-
Automated Neurodegeneration Index for Lewy Body Disease in At-Risk Groups
A new machine‑learning tool analyzes routine brain scans to identify early neurodegeneration in people at risk for Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies.
-
Identifying molecules that interact with alpha-synuclein in Alzheimer's disease–related dementias
A study at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville will map which proteins interact with alpha-synuclein in brain tissue and human-derived cells to understand its role in dementia like Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s-related dementias.
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.