Announcing The Carol and Gene Ludwig Center for Research on Neurodegeneration 2024 Pilot Grant Awardees
The Carol and Gene Ludwig Center for Research on Neurodegeneration is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of its Pilot Grant Program in Neurodegeneration, which supports high-risk, high-reward research aimed at advancing understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This year’s grants were awarded to two pioneering studies that target neurodegeneration at the cellular and genetic levels, with the goal of halting or slowing AD progression.
The first project, led by Drs. Elizabeth Bradshaw, Wassim Elyaman, Abid Hussaini, and Alison Rinderspacher, is titled "CD33 Competitive Peptides for Targeting the CD33 Risk Gene in Alzheimer’s Disease." This project targets CD33, a gene linked to Alzheimer’s risk that impacts microglial cells. These immune cells are critical for controlling inflammation and clearing amyloid plaques, both of which are significant factors in AD progression. Dr. Bradshaw’s team has developed a novel, patented peptide that functions as a competitive inhibitor of CD33, aiming to enhance microglial activity and reduce inflammation in the brain.
The research will focus on refining the peptide’s stability and effectiveness, followed by preclinical testing to evaluate its impact on reducing amyloid plaques, preserving synaptic density, and preventing neuron loss in AD mouse models. The study will also analyze behavioral outcomes and cognitive function to evaluate the peptide’s potential as a therapeutic agent. "Through our novel peptide, we hope to modulate microglial function effectively, reducing the progression of Alzheimer’s pathology,” explains Dr. Bradshaw. “This pilot grant allows us to take key steps toward developing a viable therapeutic that could one day slow or even halt neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s patients."
The second project, “Leveraging a Clinically Relevant Model of Alzheimer’s Disease to Identify and Target Critical Pathways of Neurodegeneration Using Non-Invasive Cell Permeant Peptides,” is led by Drs. Carol Troy and Scott Small. This study addresses a significant gap in Alzheimer’s research by examining the exact pathways leading to neuronal death. Utilizing a specialized SORL1-deficient mouse model that closely mimics human AD, the researchers aim to trace cell death mechanisms, such as apoptosis and necroptosis, that contribute to neurodegeneration.
An innovative aspect of this project is the development of cell-permeant peptides designed to inhibit these pathways. Administered through a non-invasive intranasal delivery method, these peptides could offer a new therapeutic approach that directly intervenes in the neurodegenerative process, potentially slowing cognitive decline. “By using a clinically relevant model and pioneering non-invasive peptide therapies, we aim to identify and target the pathways driving neuronal death. This grant allows us to build a foundation for therapies that could fundamentally alter Alzheimer’s treatment by addressing its root causes,” explains Dr. Troy.
Both projects reflect the Ludwig Center’s commitment to supporting groundbreaking research that could redefine Alzheimer’s treatment and provide hope for those affected by the disease. Co-Director Dr. Peter St George-Hyslop commended the awardees, saying, “These projects are prime examples of the innovative, high-impact research that our program aims to support. By exploring new pathways and addressing neurodegeneration at its core, they’re expanding the boundaries of Alzheimer’s research.”
The Carol and Gene Ludwig Pilot Grant Program in Neurodegeneration highlights the Center’s mission to empower researchers in developing transformative therapies. For more information on the awarded projects or the Pilot Grant Program, please contact Daniel Krug, Sr. Manager, Finance & Research Administration.