Understanding how manganese exposure affects brain health and potential protective treatments.
Official title: Mechanisms associated with neuroprotection from Mn-induced neurotoxicity.
Funded at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ · NIH-11097142 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how manganese exposure can harm the brain and lead to problems like Parkinson's disease, and it’s exploring whether a protein called REST, boosted by certain compounds like tamoxifen, can help protect brain cells from this damage, which could lead to new treatments for people with neurodegenerative diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $440,960 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES031282-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097142 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults exposed to high levels of manganese or those at risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not exposed to manganese or do not have neurodegenerative conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the harmful effects of manganese exposure on the brain, particularly how it can lead to neurological disorders similar to Parkinson's disease. The study focuses on the role of a specific protein, REST, which may help protect brain cells from damage caused by manganese. By exploring how estrogen-like compounds, such as tamoxifen, can enhance the expression of REST, the research aims to uncover new ways to prevent or mitigate brain injury from manganese toxicity. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for protecting brain health in individuals exposed to manganese.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using estrogenic compounds for neuroprotection, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Eun Sook Yu — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
- Study coordinator: Lee, Eun Sook Yu
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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.