Understanding how a specific protein protects the brain from degeneration
Official title: Dissecting the neuroprotective role of an RNA binding protein in neurodegeneration
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11143486 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins in our cells can help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease, with the hope of finding new treatments that could help people affected by this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $429,338 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG094078-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143486 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk for or experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those with non-neurodegenerative conditions may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of RNA binding proteins in protecting the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease. It aims to uncover how these proteins influence the accumulation of harmful amyloid proteins that are associated with cognitive decline. By studying the molecular mechanisms of these proteins, the research seeks to identify potential new treatments that could prevent or mitigate brain damage in affected individuals. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to innovative therapies targeting neurodegeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting amyloid proteins for Alzheimer's treatment, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mao, Yingwei — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Mao, Yingwei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Population Research Institute: Understanding how communities, movement, and social factors shape health across ages
A Pennsylvania State University research center is studying how where people live, move, and participate in families affects health and well‑being from childhood through adulthood.
-
Integrated data platform for infectious disease research using scalable public infrastructure
A large NIH grant funds a platform that makes infectious-disease data easier to access, combine, and analyze using powerful public infrastructure so researchers can work faster and more collaboratively.
-
READI-SET-GO: Improving Delirium Screening for Hospitalized Older Adults
A hospital-based program tests how well routine nurse delirium screening using UB-CAM works when integrated into the electronic health record to improve outcomes for older patients.
-
Healthy Brain and Child Development: a big study following kids from birth through age 10
A large, nationwide study will follow 7,200 mothers and their babies to map how early life experiences shape brain growth and development.
-
How sex differences affect the rewarding feel of aggression in the brain
This grant explores why aggressive experiences feel more rewarding in females and how specific brain circuits and chemical signals shape this in both sexes.
-
How parents' emotions shape young children's anxiety
This project explores how parents' moment-by-moment emotions and bodily signals shape anxiety in children from infancy through age 11.
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.