Understanding brain cell health in Alzheimer's disease
Neuronal microtubule regulation and aging
This work explores how tiny structures inside brain cells, called microtubules, change with age and contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10845623 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Aging is the biggest risk factor for diseases like Alzheimer's, where brain cells lose their ability to function and stay healthy. Inside these brain cells, microtubules act like a cell's internal scaffolding, and proteins like tau help regulate them. When these proteins don't work correctly, it can lead to brain cell damage. This project aims to understand how microtubules change as we age and how these changes might cause brain cells to become unhealthy, potentially leading to Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to help those affected by or at risk for Alzheimer's disease in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could uncover new ways to protect brain cells from age-related damage and develop new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: While the importance of microtubule-associated proteins is known, the specific role of microtubules in normal aging and the cause-and-effect relationship with cell dysfunction are still largely unexplored.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Lizhen — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Chen, Lizhen
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.