Understanding why certain cerebellar brain cells fail in spinal muscular atrophy
Official title: Single-cell function, morphology, and transcriptome study of lobule selective cerebellar Purkinje cell degeneration in SMA
Funded at Delaware State University · NIH-11218880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how a specific brain cell type in SMA patients loses function and dies, hoping to uncover why this happens and improve future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Delaware State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dover, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $517,862 |
| NIH project number | 2R15NS120154-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11218880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with spinal muscular atrophy or related cerebellar involvement who could benefit from advances in understanding brain cell vulnerability.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without SMA or without cerebellar involvement may see limited direct impact from these findings.
What this research studies
This project builds on an ongoing line of work to map the problems in cerebellar Purkinje cells in SMA models and to connect these changes with overall motor problems. By examining single-cell function, shape, and gene activity, the team aims to uncover why these cells are selectively vulnerable in SMA, which could inform broader therapeutic strategies. The study uses advanced cellular analysis in animal models to spotlight mechanisms that might also affect people with SMA. Results could shape future approaches to protect or restore cerebellar circuit function in SMA patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new ideas for protecting cerebellar neurons and improving motor outcomes for people with SMA.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown cerebellar Purkinje cell vulnerability in SMA models, with ongoing efforts building toward translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Delaware State University
Dover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jianli — Delaware State University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jianli
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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.