Removing specific proteins around brain cells to help the brain rewire
Targeted Degradation of Extracellular Proteins to Enhance Brain Plasticity
This project is trying a way to temporarily remove certain proteins outside brain cells to help adults with Alzheimer’s regain the brain’s ability to remodel and repair connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192291 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will develop methods to break down proteins in the space around neurons that block the adult brain from reorganizing its connections. The goal is to produce a short-lived change in the brain’s environment so synapses can be remodeled in a controlled way without permanently destabilizing connections. Work will use molecular and cellular experiments and preclinical models, and may include studies of human brain tissue or biomarkers to link findings to Alzheimer’s disease. If successful, this could guide treatments that promote repair and improved learning in people with neurodegenerative disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related Alzheimer syndromes would be the most relevant group for future clinical work stemming from this research.
Not a fit: People without neurodegenerative disease or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable controlled repair of brain circuits and improve memory or function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related work in animals has reopened plasticity and improved recovery, but translating targeted extracellular protein degradation to humans is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, UNITED STATES
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Nicola J — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Allen, Nicola 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 below.