PLD3 protein and its effects on brain health and Alzheimer's
Role of PLD3 in nucleic acid recognition and brain function
Researchers are looking at how changes in the PLD3 protein affect brain cells and Alzheimer's-related signs in mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297572 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models that mimic Alzheimer's-related changes to study how PLD3 (and the related PLD4) work in brain cells. Scientists will make mice with disease-linked PLD3 alleles and mice lacking PLD3/PLD4 in specific brain cells such as microglia, then examine how those changes affect nucleic acid handling, immune signaling, and Ab/Tau pathology. They will test whether loss of PLD3 speeds disease in an APP/PS1 Alzheimer's model and study older animals to see late-life effects. The work focuses on cellular mechanisms that could point to new ways to slow or prevent neurodegeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, those with a family history of Alzheimer's, or individuals known to carry PLD3-related genetic variants would be most interested and could be future candidates for related clinical research.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical work in mice, patients seeking immediate treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new biological pathways to target for slowing or preventing Alzheimer's disease linked to PLD3.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked PLD3 to Alzheimer's pathology, but translating those findings into treatments is still novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hang, Howard C — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Hang, Howard C
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.