Understanding how heparan sulfate affects alpha-synuclein in Lewy body dementia
Official title: Heparan sulfate-mediated mechanisms of alpha-synuclein pathology in dementia with Lewy bodies disease
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11606576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study in people who have dementia with Lewy bodies looks at how a brain sugar (heparan sulfate) helps a harmful protein (alpha-synuclein) spread, with the hope of slowing disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,648 |
| NIH project number | 1R56NS144587-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for dementia with Lewy bodies who could participate in related biomarker or translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not benefit patients if the mechanisms do not translate to humans or if therapies are not effective.
What this research studies
This grant explores how alpha-synuclein builds up in the brain and how heparan sulfate on brain cells helps this process. Researchers have found that disrupting the interaction between α-syn fibrils and heparan sulfate can slow pathology in animal models, and they are testing strategies that could interfere with that interaction. The work focuses on aging brains and aims to identify approaches that could one day reduce neurodegeneration and improve function in patients with Lewy body–related dementia. The project combines molecular studies with experiments in models to translate findings toward human relevance. If successful, the approach could point to new therapeutic targets for dementia with Lewy bodies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new ways to slow or halt progression of Lewy body dementia by targeting heparan sulfate interactions with alpha-synuclein.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in animal and cell models showed that disrupting HS–α-syn interactions reduces pathology, supporting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguilar Calvo, Patricia — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Aguilar Calvo, Patricia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Alpha-synuclein seed test in blood or urine for Parkinson’s and Lewy body diseases
A new blood or urine test using seed amplification to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and related conditions earlier and more clearly.
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Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium
A national research effort to better understand and diagnose Lewy body dementia by studying biomarkers and patient data over time.
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Rat model of dementia with Lewy bodies may help us study memory and movement problems
A scientist team is creating and validating a rat model that mirrors Dementia with Lewy Bodies to better understand how it develops and to test potential treatments.
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Proof of Concept Study on Clinical Trial Outcomes and Biomarkers in Early Lewy Body Dementia
A small, early-stage study is testing whether new biomarkers and trial outcomes can better measure symptoms and treatment effects for people with Lewy body dementia.
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Amyloid-clearing therapy for dementia with Lewy bodies plus Alzheimer's disease
A study tests an amyloid-clearing antibody in people who have both Dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease to see if it can safely help with their symptoms.
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New method to deliver treatments for dementia with Lewy bodies
This study is exploring a new way to deliver special treatments that can help reduce harmful proteins linked to dementia, using a friendly peptide to help get these treatments into the brain more easily, with the goal of making therapies safer and more effective for people with dementia.
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.