Microbiome and gut-brain links in Lewy body diseases
Official title: Microbiome-gut-brain dysfunction in prodromal and symptomatic Lewy body diseases
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11599432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study is exploring how the gut microbiome may be connected to Lewy body diseases, with samples and imaging collected to understand early disease signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $578,300 |
| NIH project number | 7R01NS133569-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11599432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals with REM Sleep behavior disorder, Parkinson’s disease, or Dementia with Lewy bodies, plus healthy controls for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
People not eligible for this specific cross-sectional analysis or biospecimen sharing may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on an ongoing study to collect urine, blood, and stool samples from people at risk for Lewy body diseases as well as those already diagnosed. It will share biospecimens with a national repository and use advanced MRI and breath tests to look for gut-brain links. By focusing on prodromal groups like idiopathic REM Sleep behavior disorder and Lewy body dementia cohorts, the research aims to identify early biological changes that could inform future care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier detection and new approaches to monitor or slow disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked gut microbes and biomarkers to Lewy body diseases, supporting the potential usefulness of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryman, Sephira — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Ryman, Sephira
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.