KDM6B and how it affects memory and nerve-cell communication in Alzheimer's
Role of KDM6B in Alzheimer’s disease related dementia
Looks at whether reduced levels of the brain protein KDM6B harm nerve-cell communication and memory in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11305290 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will study how lower KDM6B levels lead to weaker synaptic communication and memory problems by combining lab experiments in mice with analysis of human Alzheimer's brain tissue. They remove KDM6B in specific brain cells in mice to watch effects on synaptic vesicles, glutamate release, and memory-related behaviors and compare those findings to molecular and epigenetic changes seen in human AD brains. The team will examine links between KDM6B, the epigenetic mark H3K27me3, and the tau protein to understand how these changes relate to cognitive decline. Techniques include genetic knockouts in animals, molecular assays of synapses, behavioral memory tests, and analysis of postmortem human brain samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia—especially those with late-onset AD—could be candidates to contribute samples or be considered for related future clinical work.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or whose cognitive problems stem from non-AD causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to restore synaptic glutamate signaling and slow or improve memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies showed KDM6B affects synaptic plasticity and memory, but applying this knowledge to human Alzheimer's is relatively new and still being established.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yingfei — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yingfei
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 below.