Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
Official title: Molecular Regulations of Mitochondrial Structure in Neuronal Homeostasis and Survival
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11617744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $20,313 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS128040-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or ALS may eventually benefit from therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants or patient communities may not directly benefit in the short term if the study remains in basic model systems.
What this research studies
Neurons rely on mitochondria to meet high energy demands, so this project looks at how the inner membrane’s cristae are regulated in response to energy changes and stress. Researchers will investigate the protein MIC60 and its chemical modifications in fruit flies as a model to understand its role in neuron health. The team will test whether changes in MIC60 phosphorylation and oxidation affect mitochondrial structure and neuronal function, aiming to connect cellular changes to potential disease outcomes. Findings could reveal new targets to protect neurons in neurodegenerative conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how neuron mitochondria adapt could lead to new approaches to protect brain cells in dementia and ALS.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that MIC60-like proteins influence crista structure and mitochondrial health in model organisms, supporting the potential relevance to human disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xinnan — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xinnan
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.