Understanding how autoimmune antibodies against NMDAR arise and affect the brain
Official title: Structural and functional characterization of autoimmune antibodies against NMDAR
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11367210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will explore how antibodies against the brain receptor NMDAR develop in cancer patients and how these autoantibodies cause a severe brain disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | June 18, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $929,257 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI194245-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune encephalitis related to anti-NMDAR antibodies or individuals at risk due to ovarian teratomas and cancer-related immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not develop autoantibodies or encephalitis despite cancer-related immune activity.
What this research studies
The project looks at how anti-NMDAR antibodies originate in the context of cancer and how they lead to autoimmune encephalitis with symptoms like seizures and memory problems. Researchers will study the molecular and cellular mechanisms, including B cells and antibody-secreting cells, that generate these antibodies and how they cross into the brain. The findings could reveal new windows for preventing or treating this autoimmune reaction without harming cancer-fighting immune responses. The work involves analyses of human samples and mechanisms supported by modern molecular and immunological techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis, improving neurological outcomes for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked anti-NMDAR antibodies with encephalitis, but detailed origins and brain-entry mechanisms remain under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Furukawa, Hiroyasu — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Furukawa, Hiroyasu
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.