Why lupus can cause brain and mood problems, using clues from frontotemporal dementia
Official title: Investigating novel biological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) with insights from frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11052362 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at genes and immune signals that might cause brain and mental health problems in adults with lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2015 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 2I01BX002690-09A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052362 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially those who have experienced psychosis, seizures, confusion, or cognitive decline, and veterans with lupus or significant environmental exposures, would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without lupus or whose neurological symptoms are caused by other conditions (such as stroke or primary psychiatric disorders) are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study genes linked to frontotemporal dementia (GRN and C9orf72) because these genes have been tied to autoimmune problems, including lupus. They will use a mouse model that mimics neuropsychiatric lupus and compare immune and brain changes to human data. Advanced sequencing and antibody testing will be used on mouse and human samples to find molecular and immune signatures that track with brain symptoms. The goal is to connect specific gene and immune changes to the brain and behavioral problems seen in some people with lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new tests or drug targets to prevent or treat brain and mental health problems in people with lupus.
How similar studies have gone: Connections between FTD genes and autoimmune disease are a recent discovery and animal models are promising, but clinical benefit in people remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsieh, Christine Linda — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hsieh, Christine Linda
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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.