Stopping leaky calcium channels in the cerebellum for essential tremor
Targeting Cerebellar Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Handling in Essential Tremor
This work tries to reduce tremor in people with essential tremor by correcting abnormal calcium leaks in a brain cell channel called RyR1.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238453 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone with essential tremor, researchers are studying brains from people with ET and using a mouse that copies the same calcium-channel problem to learn what causes tremor. They focus on a specific calcium release channel (RyR1) in cerebellar Purkinje cells that becomes abnormally phosphorylated and leaky in ET. The team examines human brain tissue, measures biochemical changes, records cerebellar physiology, and tests interventions in mice and tissue to see whether stopping the leak lessens tremor. Their combined human-tissue and animal approach aims to connect the molecular problem to symptoms and point to ways to reverse it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with essential tremor—especially those with progressive or medication-resistant tremor and those willing to consent to brain donation or clinic participation—would be the best matches for this work.
Not a fit: People whose tremor is caused by other conditions (for example Parkinson-related tremor) or those seeking immediate symptom relief are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic-science-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to drugs or other treatments that reduce or slow tremor by fixing the underlying calcium leak in the cerebellum.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work from the same group found increased phosphorylated RyR1 in ET brains and mice with a matching RyR1 change develop tremor, but turning these findings into human treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuo, Sheng-Han — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kuo, Sheng-Han
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.