Molecular mechanisms to rebuild myelin in brain diseases
Official title: Molecular Mechanisms of Oligodendrocyte Myelination and remyelination
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11535394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how to restore the protective myelin coating in diseases like Alzheimer’s and autism where nerve signals can be disrupted.
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 | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $557,941 |
| NIH project number | 7R01NS142389-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with demyelinating conditions or related neurodegenerative diseases where remyelination could be beneficial.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without demyelinating conditions or whose disease does not involve remyelination deficits may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how oligodendrocytes create and restore myelin in the central nervous system, focusing on epigenetic changes that could boost myelin production and repair after injury. The project builds on findings that certain epigenetic compounds can stimulate remyelination in animal models and may point to targets like HDAC3 in human tissue. The work combines cell-based screening with animal studies to understand how to stimulate the brain’s own repair cells. If successful, this could lead to new therapies that help people with demyelinating conditions maintain or regain neural function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach succeeds, patients with demyelinating diseases could experience improved nerve signaling and slower disability progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown promising remyelination with epigenetic compounds in models, suggesting potential translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qing Richard — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qing Richard
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.