Targeted Removal of Certain Brain Proteins to Boost Learning and Repair
Official title: Targeted Degradation of Extracellular Proteins to Enhance Brain Plasticity
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11396435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to temporarily unlock the adult brain’s ability to remodel connections to help with learning and repairing neurons, with a focus on Alzheimer-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,990,000 |
| NIH project number | 4DP1NS142487-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals 21 years and older with Alzheimer’s disease dementia or related Alzheimer’s conditions who could participate in future translation studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s disease dementia or without conditions related to brain plasticity may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This grant explores how removing specific extracellular proteins around neurons can safely and temporarily enhance plasticity in the adult brain. The approach centers on targeted manipulation in the brain’s extracellular space to promote flexible synaptic remodeling when needed, such as during learning or after injury. The goal is to enable controlled changes that support recovery without causing long-term instability in brain connections. The work is conducted with a clear emphasis on translating findings to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease dementia by understanding how plasticity can be boosted in an age-affected brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new strategies that improve learning, memory, and neural repair in people with Alzheimer's-related dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that altering extracellular brain proteins can influence plasticity, with emerging evidence supporting targeted and reversible approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Nicola J — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Allen, Nicola J
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.