Understanding how the brain clears waste in Huntington's disease
Official title: Emerging role of glymphatic clearance in Huntington's disease
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11070293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a system in the brain that helps clear out waste might not work properly in people with Huntington's disease, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat the condition by understanding this process better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $455,052 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS127344-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Huntington's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurodegenerative disorders unrelated to Huntington's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the glymphatic system, a network in the brain responsible for clearing waste, in Huntington's disease (HD). The study aims to understand how this system is impaired in HD and whether this impairment contributes to the disease's progression. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers will explore the relationship between glymphatic clearance and the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain. By identifying these mechanisms, the research seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets for treating HD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow the progression of Huntington's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the glymphatic system's role in other neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duan, Wenzhen — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Duan, Wenzhen
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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.