Understanding progranulin's role in brain cell recycling and dementia
Official title: Resolving the function of progranulin in lysosomal lipid metabolism and the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11297631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is looking at whether losing the protein progranulin causes problems in cells' waste‑clearing system that may lead to Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,373,829 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1AG079318-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, or known GRN (progranulin) gene variants would be most relevant candidates for related follow-up studies or sample donation.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodegenerative disease or with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic laboratory research in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how loss of the progranulin protein leads to breakdowns in the cell's recycling center (the lysosome) and to abnormal fat buildup in brain tissue. They use mice lacking the progranulin gene and measure changes in metabolites and lipids, then integrate those data with other biological analyses to map what goes wrong. The work also looks at how progranulin is cut into smaller granulin pieces inside lysosomes and how those pieces help maintain normal lipid handling. Findings aim to point to the specific steps in lysosomal lipid metabolism that could be targeted to protect brain cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to restore lysosomal lipid balance and potentially slow or prevent neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies have linked progranulin loss to lysosomal dysfunction and lipid accumulation, but translating those findings into effective treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kukar, Thomas L — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kukar, Thomas L
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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.