RNA editing and protein inclusions in dementia and Parkinson’s disease
Official title: RNA editing dysregulation in the pathogenesis of Dementia and Parkinson’s disease
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11340839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people with or at risk for dementia and Parkinson’s disease will explore how RNA editing and protein clumps in brain cells might drive disease processes and potentially point to new interventions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,938 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS148223-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with or at risk for DLB or PD who can donate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines or participate through genetic/biomarker studies and brain tissue donation where applicable.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not directly contributing iPSC-derived neuron models or biomarker samples may not directly benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project investigates how failures in cellular protein handling and RNA editing contribute to brain diseases like dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease. Using patient-derived iPSC neurons, researchers will identify which mRNAs are altered by adenosine-to-inosine editing and how these changes affect RNA-binding proteins NONO and SFPQ. The team will map the mRNA targets and assess how editing influences protein production and function, aiming to link editing events to mitochondrial and trafficking pathways implicated in disease. The work builds on prior findings and seeks to uncover the initial triggers of RNA-protein inclusions and their downstream effects in human neuronal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could reveal new molecular targets and pathways for therapies that slow or halt progression in DLB and PD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked RNA editing and RBPs to neurodegenerative processes, with evidence of altered editing in patient-derived neurons, supporting potential relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mazzulli, Joseph R — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Mazzulli, Joseph R
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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.