Rat model of dementia with Lewy bodies may help us study memory and movement problems

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Researchers aim to build a rat model that captures the key brain changes and symptoms of Dementia with Lewy Bodies, including cognitive decline and motor issues. The project will combine an existing Alzheimer’s rat model with targeted brain changes to reproduce Lewy bodies and related pathology, then test whether this model behaves like the human disease. This work will include comprehensive validation to ensure the model reflects brain chemistry, PET imaging patterns, and functional outcomes seen in patients. The goal is to provide a reliable, translational system that researchers can use to study disease mechanisms and evaluate therapies before human trials.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
  East Lansing, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Sortwell, Caryl E — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
• Study coordinator: Sortwell, Caryl E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Understanding how heparan sulfate affects alpha-synuclein in Lewy body dementia

  A small study in people who have dementia with Lewy bodies looks at how a brain sugar (heparan sulfate) helps a harmful protein (alpha-synuclein) spread, with the hope of slowing disease progression.

  NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11606576

• Alpha-synuclein seed test in blood or urine for Parkinson’s and Lewy body diseases

  A new blood or urine test using seed amplification to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and related conditions earlier and more clearly.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · Houston, United States · NIH-11443945

• Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium

  A national research effort to better understand and diagnose Lewy body dementia by studying biomarkers and patient data over time.

  NIH research Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res · Seattle, United States · NIH-11412709

• Proof of Concept Study on Clinical Trial Outcomes and Biomarkers in Early Lewy Body Dementia

  A small, early-stage study is testing whether new biomarkers and trial outcomes can better measure symptoms and treatment effects for people with Lewy body dementia.

  NIH research University of Miami School of Medicine · Coral Gables, United States · NIH-11341276

• Amyloid-clearing therapy for dementia with Lewy bodies plus Alzheimer's disease

  A study tests an amyloid-clearing antibody in people who have both Dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease to see if it can safely help with their symptoms.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11264576

• New method to deliver treatments for dementia with Lewy bodies

  This study is exploring a new way to deliver special treatments that can help reduce harmful proteins linked to dementia, using a friendly peptide to help get these treatments into the brain more easily, with the goal of making therapies safer and more effective for people with dementia.

  NIH research University of Southern California · Los Angeles, UNITED STATES · NIH-11230055

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.