New insights into how G proteins are regulated and how this affects brain signaling
Official title: Alternative Mechanisms of Signaling via Trimeric G Proteins
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11584116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH-funded project looks at a new class of brain proteins that control cell signaling, aiming to understand how this affects memory, aging, and Alzheimer’s-related changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $22,022 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS117101-11S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11584116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related cognitive disorders could potentially benefit from future therapies emerging from this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are unlikely for individuals without neurological disorders or without conditions related to brain signaling abnormalities.
What this research studies
The research will study G protein regulators, focusing on a prototype called GINIP, to see how they modulate neurotransmitter signaling in the brain. It will combine molecular studies and possibly animal models to map how this regulatory system impacts inhibitory signaling and neural communication. By uncovering how these regulators influence brain function, the project hopes to shed light on mechanisms that may contribute to cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. This could open doors to new approaches for treating neurological symptoms linked to aging and dementia. The work is a renewal of prior discoveries and aims to build a broader framework for GPCR-G protein regulation in human brain disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new targets for treating cognitive decline and other neurological symptoms associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on GINIP has established a unique regulatory mechanism, suggesting potential for translational impact, though clinical applications are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia-Marcos, Mikel — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Garcia-Marcos, Mikel
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.