Understanding Amyloid Beta Buildup in Alzheimer's Disease
Investigating the aggregation of amyloid β during metabolic stress using multiscale modeling
This project aims to understand how stress in the brain might cause harmful proteins to clump together, which is a key factor in Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180265 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that certain proteins, called amyloid beta, can form harmful clumps in the brain, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. However, it's not fully clear what causes these clumps to start and grow. This project explores the idea that temporary brain stress, like changes in acidity or salt levels that happen during conditions such as stroke or migraine, might encourage these proteins to aggregate. We are using advanced computer models to simulate these complex interactions, which helps us understand how different types of stress might lead to different kinds of protein clumps. This approach allows us to study processes that are too complex to observe through experiments alone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for anyone affected by or at risk for Alzheimer's disease dementia, as it seeks to uncover basic disease mechanisms.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical interventions will not find them directly from this basic science modeling project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and identify new ways to prevent or treat it by targeting the conditions that promote protein clumping.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific multiscale modeling approach for this exact problem is novel, other studies have shown that metabolic stress can influence protein aggregation in various diseases.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ullah, Ghanim — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Ullah, Ghanim
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.