Understanding Brain Changes in Machado-Joseph Disease
Nonneuronal Mechanisms of Polyglutamine Neurodegeneration
This research explores how brain cells other than nerve cells contribute to Machado-Joseph disease, hoping to find new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127478 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Machado-Joseph disease, also known as Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is a serious condition where specific brain cells stop working correctly. While we know the genetic cause, it's still unclear exactly how this gene leads to brain damage and cell death. Recent findings suggest that support cells in the brain, called oligodendrocytes, might play a much larger role than previously thought. This project will investigate how these support cells are affected in SCA3 and whether they contribute to the disease, using various models and human tissue samples. The goal is to uncover new targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to individuals living with Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3 (Machado-Joseph disease) or other related polyglutamine diseases.
Not a fit: Patients without Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3 or similar polyglutamine diseases would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for therapies that slow or stop the progression of Machado-Joseph disease and similar conditions.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on recent discoveries in mouse models and human tissue, but its focus on non-neuronal cells like oligodendrocytes represents a novel direction for understanding SCA3.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcloughlin, Hayley S — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Mcloughlin, Hayley S
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.