Understanding how CSPalpha affects brain cell health and function
Official title: Investigating the role of CSPalpha in presynaptic autophagy
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11116139 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called CSPα to see how it helps keep brain cells healthy by cleaning up damaged proteins, which could help us understand more about diseases like Alzheimer's and find new ways to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $461,313 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG093151-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11116139 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurodegenerative conditions unrelated to protein folding or synaptic health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Cysteine String Protein α (CSPα) in maintaining the health of brain cells, particularly focusing on its involvement in the process of autophagy, which is crucial for clearing damaged proteins. By studying both normal and mutated forms of CSPα in brain models, the research aims to uncover how disruptions in this protein contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The team will utilize advanced techniques such as electron microscopy and live imaging to observe changes in synaptic structures and protein turnover. This work could provide insights into the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of protein chaperones in neurodegeneration, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandra, Sreeganga S — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Chandra, Sreeganga S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Community Health Worker–Led Hypertension Prevention and Control in Nepal
A community health worker–driven approach in Nepal aims to prevent and control high blood pressure among adults by bringing education and care directly to communities and homes.
-
Community health worker-led hypertension prevention and control in Nepal
A community health worker–led program in Nepal aims to help adults prevent and better control high blood pressure through home visits, education, and ongoing support.
-
Adapting a mobile health tool to boost HIV outcomes for older adults with HIV in Ukraine
A mobile health platform called PositiveLinks would be adapted for older adults with HIV in Ukraine to help them stay engaged in care and improve treatment success.
-
Behavioral and neural links between spoken language sounds and written words in young children
This grant studies how young children learn from listening and reading to improve literacy, by looking at how sound patterns transfer to written language.
-
Understanding how autoimmunity causes myasthenia gravis
This project looks at why the immune system attacks the nerve-muscle connection in myasthenia gravis and how different patient groups are affected.
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.