Role of a cellular pathway in ALS/FTD and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias
Official title: Role of the TE-cGAS-STING pathway in C9orf72-ALS/FTD pathogenesis
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11417190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from Thomas Jefferson University is exploring how a specific cell-signaling pathway might drive brain cell death in ALS, FTD and Alzheimer’s-related dementias and could point to new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $637,049 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136624-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with ALS/FTD or Alzheimer’s-related dementias, or those carrying C9orf72-related genetic risk, could benefit from future therapies developed based on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not directly affected by ALS/FTD or Alzheimer’s-related dementias may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic study.
What this research studies
Researchers will look at how the c-JUN/TE/cGAS/STING signaling axis affects brain cells in diseases like C9orf72-ALS/FTD and Alzheimer’s-related dementias. They will use patient-derived cells and disease models to uncover how this pathway leads to immune activation and neuronal death. The project aims to map cell-type specific effects and test potential interventions that could modulate harmful inflammation. If successful, the work could pave the way for therapies targeting this pathway to slow or prevent neuronal loss in these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to reduce brain inflammation and neuron death in ALS/FTD and Alzheimer’s-related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Similar studies linking cGAS/STING and neuroinflammation have shown promise in disease models, supporting the potential relevance of this pathway.
Where this research is happening
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Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trotti, Davide — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Trotti, Davide
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.