Grant Award Details

Defining the source of dysfunction in monogenic Intellectual Disability Syndrome neurons
Grant Number: 
DISC0-14519
Project Objective: 
  • Using stem cell models of Intellectual Disability syndromes (ID), these studies seek to understand the neuronal stress pathways (such as DNA damage and repair pathways) that could result from ID mutations, and whether and how, these changes result in neuronal senescence and dysfunction.
Investigator: 
Disease Focus: 
Developmental Disorders
Genetic Disorder
Intellectual Disability
Neurological Disorders
Rett's Syndrome
Human Stem Cell Use: 
iPS Cell
Award Value: 
$1,500,337
Status: 
Pre-Active

Grant Application Details

Application Title: 
  • Defining the source of dysfunction in monogenic Intellectual Disability Syndrome neurons
Public Abstract: 

Research Objective

This study will use pluripotent stem cells derived from patients to determine why Intellectual Disabilities caused by mutations in chromatin regulatory proteins leads to neuronal defects.

Impact

Our study of intellectual disability syndromes will determine links between mutations and neuronal dysfunction

Major Proposed Activities

  • Our study of intellectual disability syndromes will determine links between mutations and neuronal dysfunction
  • Determine which ID Syndromes show neuronal senescence in vitro
  • Identify the best culture method to recapitulate findings from ID Syndrome brain data
  • Discover the primary trigger of neuronal stress and P53 activation
  • Perform loss of function study to identify primary response to defective chromatin regulation
  • Elucidate a potential role for neuronal activity in DNA damage and stress response in ID Syndrome neurons
Statement of Benefit to California: 

The project described here will bring great benefit from families suffering with Rett Syndrome. Our novel small molecules will be translated into drugs that have been shown to ameliorate symptoms of Rett Syndrome in neurons through modeling via human induced pluripotent stem cells. Rett Syndrome strikes 1:10000 live female births, so in State like California, this means thousands of families are suffering right now, with no treatment options available.