Understanding how alcohol affects the brain's protective barrier
Unraveling the Mechanisms of Alcohol-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: A Focus on Lysophosphatidic Acid Signaling and Endothelial Cells.
This research explores how heavy alcohol use damages the brain's protective barrier, which could lead to new ways to help people with alcohol-related brain issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171504 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Heavy alcohol use can harm the brain's protective barrier, called the blood-brain barrier, which normally keeps harmful substances out. We believe that a specific fatty acid, called LPA, and related proteins play a key role in this damage. Our work will look closely at how alcohol changes these proteins and affects brain cells, especially focusing on how it impacts the energy centers of these cells. By understanding these steps, we hope to find ways to protect the brain from alcohol's harmful effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational, but future studies building on this work would ideally benefit adults who experience cerebrovascular complications or neuroinflammation due to heavy alcohol consumption.
Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or do not experience alcohol-related cerebrovascular issues would not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that protect the brain from damage caused by heavy alcohol consumption and reduce related complications like neuroinflammation.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of LPA in blood-brain barrier dysfunction has been suggested in other studies, this specific focus on alcohol's impact on autotaxin and LPP3 expression is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Shreveport, United States
- Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport — Shreveport, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Panchatcharam, Manikandan — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Panchatcharam, Manikandan
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.