New medicines that block GSK-3 to target Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Novel Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents
Funded at Ohio University Athens · NIH-11125245 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a new drug that blocks an enzyme called GSK-3 to try to reduce brain changes and harmful inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio University Athens NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2016 |
| Project end | August 24, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $566,250 |
| NIH project number | 2R15GM110602-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11125245 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, especially those interested in future clinical trials of new treatments, would be the eventual candidates for this line of work.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's or those with very advanced disease and extensive neuronal loss may not benefit from these early-stage drug development efforts.
What this research studies
Researchers at Ohio University have discovered a new compound called COB-187 that selectively blocks the enzyme GSK-3, which is linked to changes seen in Alzheimer's. They will study how COB-187 and related compounds work at the molecular level and test effects in laboratory models (cells and animals). The team will refine the chemical scaffold to improve potency, selectivity, and safety so the compounds become better drug candidates. This preclinical work aims to pave the way for future human trials if results show reduced harmful inflammation or neurodegenerative changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could slow or reduce Alzheimer's-related brain damage by targeting overactive GSK-3 and related inflammatory signals.
How similar studies have gone: Similar GSK-3 inhibitor approaches have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but no specific GSK-3 drug is yet approved for patients.
Where this research is happening
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Ohio University Athens
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goetz, Douglas J — Ohio University Athens
- Study coordinator: Goetz, Douglas J
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.