Understanding how a brain enzyme (hBCATm) works in Alzheimer’s and brain injury
Official title: Isolating hBCATm functions in human brain models
Funded at North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ · NIH-11386380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist explores how a brain-endothelial enzyme called hBCATm behaves in Alzheimer’s disease and brain injury to uncover potential new ideas for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greensboro, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $122,643 |
| NIH project number | 5R16NS147985-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease or related brain injuries where brain endothelial cell function is affected.
✕Less likely to help
If the brain endothelial cells do not rely on hBCATm in these conditions, patients may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant looks at the role of the brain’s blood vessel cells and a specific enzyme, hBCATm, in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other brain injuries. Researchers will study how hBCATm processes nutrients and how its products affect energy use and brain cell communication. The goal is to learn whether changes in hBCATm contribute to disease progression and blood-brain barrier function, which could inform future therapies. The work uses human-derived brain models to connect cellular activity to potential patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could identify new targets to protect brain energy, improve the blood-brain barrier, and slow progression of Alzheimer’s or related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests endothelial metabolism can influence brain function, but this study explores a specific mitochondrial enzyme in human brain models, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
Greensboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forshaw, Thomas Edward — North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
- Study coordinator: Forshaw, Thomas Edward
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.