T cells and the gut microbiome in inherited frontotemporal dementia
Identifying T cell determinants of heritable Frontotemporal dementia
['FUNDING_R01'] · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11306600
This project looks at whether shifting immune T cells and gut microbiome signals can help people with inherited frontotemporal dementia linked to C9ORF72 mutations.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11306600 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare immune T cell types and gut microbes in people who carry the C9ORF72 repeat expansion and in control participants. They will analyze blood and stool samples to see how the mutation and microbiome signals change the balance between regulatory T cells and inflammatory Th17 cells. Laboratory models and patient-derived samples will be used to test approaches that boost regulatory T cells or reduce Th17-driven inflammation. The goal is to find immune- or microbiome-related ways to slow or prevent nerve cell damage in inherited FTD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who carry the C9ORF72 repeat expansion or have a clinical diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and can provide blood and stool samples.
Not a fit: People whose dementia is not linked to C9ORF72 mutations or who cannot provide samples may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to immune-based or microbiome-targeted therapies that slow symptom progression in people with C9ORF72-related frontotemporal dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked immune changes and the gut microbiome to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, but targeting Treg/Th17 balance specifically in C9ORF72-related FTD is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BURBERRY, AARON — CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: BURBERRY, AARON
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer disease treatment