Resetting cell signaling balance to slow Alzheimer's and similar diseases
Homeostatic Reset as a New Therapeutic Paradigm for Slow Progression Diseases
Researchers are restoring balance in cellular signaling to try to slow or change the course of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11188983 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project focuses on restoring the natural balance of small GTPase signaling in brain cells rather than simply turning pathways on or off. The team will use laboratory models and disease-focused experiments tied to Alzheimer's and ALS biology to understand how rebalancing these signals affects disease processes. The work aims to develop a new therapeutic approach that could be translated into treatments and tested in people in later stages. Because this idea is different from conventional single-direction targeting, it could inform therapies for other chronic brain disorders as well.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for eventual clinical testing would be people living with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions when human trials become available.
Not a fit: People with very advanced Alzheimer's disease or those with unrelated medical conditions may be less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to treatments that more effectively slow or modify Alzheimer's progression by bringing cellular signaling back into balance.
How similar studies have performed: This homeostatic rebalancing strategy is largely novel for Alzheimer's and ALS, with limited prior success in human trials and primarily preclinical precedent.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qun — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qun
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.