Investigating the role of a specific enzyme in cognitive decline related to Lewy body dementias
Official title: Role of GlcSph in cognitive deficits in Lewy body dementias
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11077211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a certain enzyme might influence thinking problems in people with Parkinson’s disease dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies, hoping to find ways to help improve brain function for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $539,442 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081433-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease dementia or Dementia with Lewy bodies, particularly those with genetic variations in the GBA1 gene.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cognitive impairments not related to Lewy body dementias or those without the specific genetic variations being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, affects cognitive impairments in patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies. By studying genetic variations and their impact on brain function, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind cognitive decline associated with these neurodegenerative diseases. The approach includes using animal models to assess behavioral performance and brain changes, which may provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for improving cognitive function in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve cognitive function and quality of life for patients with Lewy body dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of glucocerebrosidase in neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volpicelli-Daley, Laura a. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Volpicelli-Daley, Laura a.
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.