Mitochondrial protection by PKD1 in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Compensatory Mitochondrial Protective Mechanisms Against Oxidative Stress in PD
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11348908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a protein called PKD1 helps protect brain cells' mitochondria from oxidative damage in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $436,013 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS121692-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with Parkinson's disease who are interested in supporting research, for example by donating clinical information or biological samples through affiliated studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking an immediate therapy are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this lab-based, preclinical research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use cell cultures and animal models of Parkinson's disease to follow how PKD1 is activated by oxidative stress and where it moves inside dopamine neurons. They will study PKD1's effects on mitochondrial health and on protective genes such as PGC1-α, TFAM, and BDNF that support neuron survival. Experiments will include molecular tests and imaging to see whether boosting PKD1 reduces neuron damage. The team aims to map this compensatory protective pathway so it could be targeted in future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new treatment targets to protect dopamine neurons and potentially slow Parkinson's progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown promise for pathways like PGC1-α and BDNF in models of neuroprotection, but targeting PKD1 as a mitochondrial protector is relatively new and remains at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kanthasamy, Anumantha Gounder — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Kanthasamy, Anumantha Gounder
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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.