Targeting the brain's daily clock to help Alzheimer's
Role of REV-ERBa Proteins in Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's Disease
This project aims to change clock proteins in brain support cells to reduce Alzheimer’s-related damage for people with Alzheimer’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are focusing on the brain's internal daily clock in support cells called glia, because those clocks help control inflammation, cleaning up misfolded proteins, and fat balance in the brain. The team is studying proteins called REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, which help run that clock and can be targeted by small-molecule drugs. Using mouse models and lab studies, they will look at how changing these clock proteins affects glial behavior and Alzheimer's-like brain pathology. The goal is to learn whether fixing glial clocks could be a new way to slow or reduce Alzheimer’s damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The eventual patients most likely to benefit would be people with Alzheimer’s disease, especially those in earlier stages or with disturbed sleep-wake cycles.
Not a fit: People with non-Alzheimer dementias or very advanced neurodegeneration may be less likely to benefit from these clock-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs that restore healthy glial clock function and slow Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical work, including the investigators' own mouse studies, showed REV-ERB proteins affect glial function and Alzheimer-like pathology, but human testing of this approach is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Musiek, Erik Steven — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Musiek, Erik Steven
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.