What builds calcium-rich clumps in the eye and brain in Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration
Project 1 - Molecular structure and function
This project is looking at the proteins and minerals that form calcium-rich deposits in the eyes of people with age-related macular degeneration and the brains of people with Alzheimer’s to understand how they form.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11390454 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work will analyze the chemical, physical, and structural makeup of calcium-rich deposits found in the eyes of people with AMD and the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Researchers will focus on three key proteins—vitronectin, amyloid‑beta, and Tau—and how they interact with mineral crystals using biochemical tests, imaging, and analysis of tissue and blood samples. They will compare deposits that are linked with disease progression to deposits that do not seem harmful to spot important differences. The goal is to discover molecular patterns that explain why some deposits promote disease while others do not.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration or Alzheimer’s disease, or people willing to donate eye, brain, or blood samples, would be the most relevant participants for related parts of this project.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment or symptom relief should not expect direct benefit because this is basic molecular research rather than a therapeutic trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to prevent or remove harmful deposits, which might slow vision loss or cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown these proteins are present in deposits and that vitronectin can bind calcium minerals, but the detailed mechanisms linking deposits to disease remain novel and unresolved.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marassi, Francesca M — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Marassi, Francesca M
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.