Retinoic acid's role in protecting memory-related brain cells in Alzheimer's
Official title: Transcriptional Dysfunction in Dentate Gyrus Cell Types: Roles of Retinoic Acid Responsive Genes in Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Scis Center · NIH-11251569 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether restoring a vitamin A–related molecule and its genes can protect memory-center brain cells and slow early Alzheimer's changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Scis Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $374,444 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071859-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251569 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with early Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment whose clinical data, brain samples, or future participation in related trials could help test retinoic acid–based approaches.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's or those with very advanced late-stage dementia are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
From the patient's point of view, researchers are focusing on a small part of the memory center called the dentate gyrus that becomes overactive early in Alzheimer's. They study how low levels of all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A derivative) and related genes may leave cells vulnerable to oxidative damage and mitochondrial problems. The team uses animal models together with analyses of human brain gene data to track these changes and test whether boosting retinoic acid signaling reduces abnormal activity, cell damage, and amyloid buildup. The goal is to find molecular targets that could lead to treatments protecting memory circuits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new treatments that protect hippocampal neurons and slow memory loss in early Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies have shown age-related declines in brain retinoic acid and benefit from restoring it, but this approach is still novel and unproven in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrence, John Joshua — Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
- Study coordinator: Lawrence, John Joshua
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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.