Polyamine imbalance and nerve cell damage in Snyder-Robinson syndrome and related brain disorders
Official title: Neurotoxicity of Spermine Synthase-deficiency and Polyamine Imbalance
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11583928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how faulty polyamine metabolism can contribute to brain damage and diseases like Alzheimer's, using fruit-fly models and patient cells to find ways to reduce neurotoxicity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $396,626 |
| NIH project number | 4R01NS109640-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11583928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with Snyder-Robinson Intellectual Disability/SMS deficiency or patients with Alzheimer’s-related dementias where polyamine imbalance may play a role, plus willingness to donate cells or participate in related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without involvement of polyamine-related mechanisms or without access to specific sample collection may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Scientists are exploring how imbalances in polyamines such as spermine and spermidine harm the nervous system, particularly in Snyder-Robinson Intellectual Disability and Alzheimer’s-related conditions. They have developed a Drosophila model and discovered that abnormal redox states, protein acetylation, and lysosomal problems drive neurotoxicity, with phenylbutyrate shown to lessen damage in models and patient cells. The project aims to connect polyamine metabolism to Tau-related neurodegeneration and test interventions that could protect brain cells in humans. This work could guide future therapies that slow or prevent progression of neurodegenerative diseases linked to polyamine imbalance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to protect brain cells and potentially slow neurodegenerative symptoms in patients with polyamine-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models and patient cells have shown that targeting polyamine metabolism and using compounds like phenylbutyrate can suppress neurotoxicity in Snyder-Robinson models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhai, Rong Grace — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Zhai, Rong Grace
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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.