Understanding how certain brain cells are affected in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Cortical Neuronal Vulnerability in Parkinson's Disease
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11165826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells are affected by a harmful protein in people with Parkinson's disease, to find out which cells are stronger or weaker against this damage, and the results could help us better understand how the disease progresses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $47,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS139616-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11165826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing motor function decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who are in the advanced stages of the disease or those with other neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the vulnerability of different types of neurons in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease, focusing on the accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins. By using advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics, the study aims to identify which neurons are more resilient or susceptible to damage caused by these protein aggregates. The findings could help in understanding the cellular dysfunctions that lead to the progression of the disease. This project also emphasizes the development of skills in bioinformatics and genomics to enhance future research in neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights that may inform the development of targeted therapies for Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neuronal vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goralski, Thomas — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Goralski, Thomas
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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.