Protecting brain synapses to help memory in Alzheimer's
Identifying therapeutic targets that confer synaptic resilience to Alzheimer's disease
This project looks for proteins and pathways that keep brain connections healthy so people with Alzheimer-related changes can maintain thinking and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234274 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We compare brains from older people who had lots of Alzheimer’s changes at autopsy but kept their thinking to brains from people who developed dementia, focusing on the tiny connections between nerve cells called synapses. Researchers will map which synaptic proteins and signaling pathways are preserved in these resilient individuals and how amyloid and tau interfere with synapses. Promising protein targets will be tested in laboratory models, including advanced 3-D models, to see if boosting those pathways protects synapses. The goal is to find molecular targets that could be turned into treatments that support memory across vulnerable brain regions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults with early memory problems or mild cognitive impairment, and people willing to join observational brain-donation programs or related clinic studies.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are caused by non-Alzheimer conditions or who are in very late-stage illness may not benefit from the specific synapse-focused findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that protect synapses and help preserve memory in people at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked preserved synapses to better cognition and identified some candidate molecules, but translating those findings into effective human therapies remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herskowitz, Jeremy H. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Herskowitz, Jeremy H.
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.