Understanding Brain Cell Communication in Neurological Conditions
Single-Particle Cryo-EM Characterization of AMPA Receptor Functional States
This project aims to understand how important brain cell communicators, called AMPA receptors, work at a very detailed level to help develop new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and ALS.
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-11093536 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our brain cells use special communicators called AMPA receptors for fast signaling, which is key for thinking and memory. When these receptors don't work right, it can lead to serious conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and epilepsy. We want to look very closely at these AMPA receptors using a powerful imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to see their exact structure. By understanding their detailed structure, we hope to discover how they function and how they can be regulated. This knowledge is crucial for creating new medicines that can correct their activity in people with these neurological disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future patients living with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, or those who have experienced ischemia may ultimately benefit from the insights gained from this fundamental research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical trial participation will not find direct benefit from this foundational laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new and more effective medications to regulate AMPA receptor activity in patients with neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and ALS.
How similar studies have performed: Advances in cryo-electron microscopy have already provided some understanding of AMPA receptor structures, but this project aims to achieve higher resolution and characterize more functional states to fill existing knowledge gaps.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sobolevsky, Alexander — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sobolevsky, Alexander
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.