Understanding how prions cause neurodegenerative diseases
Structural Mechanism of Mammalian Prion Infectivity
This study is looking at how certain fats in our bodies help make prions infectious, which could help us understand diseases like Alzheimer's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease better, potentially leading to new treatments or ways to prevent them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10821394 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the structural mechanisms behind prion infectivity, focusing on how certain lipids are necessary for the formation of infectious prion proteins. By using advanced techniques like solid-state NMR, electron microscopy, and mass spectrometry, the team aims to uncover the specific structural features that make prions infectious. This could lead to a better understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which are linked to prion activity. Patients may benefit from insights that could inform future treatments or preventive strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with prion diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
Not a fit: Patients with non-neurodegenerative conditions or those not affected by prion diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and potentially treating prion-related neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding prion mechanisms, but this specific approach using isotopically labeled prions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Supattapone, Surachai — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Supattapone, Surachai
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 below.