New medicines for Alzheimer's disease by targeting nSMase2
Development of neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
This research looks for new medicines that could help people with Alzheimer's disease by focusing on a specific enzyme in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118830 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies naturally produce a substance called ceramide, which is found in higher amounts in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. This project aims to find new drug candidates that can block an enzyme called nSMase2, which is responsible for making ceramide. By stopping this enzyme, we hope to slow down the spread of harmful proteins in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer's. We are working to create and test new compounds that are more effective and safer than current options, with the goal of developing a new treatment approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this stage, but future clinical trials would likely seek individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new type of medication that slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease by targeting a specific biological pathway.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific prototype inhibitor is being optimized, the concept of targeting nSMase2 to influence ceramide levels in Alzheimer's disease is an active area of investigation, with early findings suggesting its potential relevance.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsukamoto, Takashi — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Tsukamoto, Takashi
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 below.