Researchers from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine have discovered a new way that act neurons in neurodegeneration through the use of human neural organoids-also known as “mini-brain” models of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).
Insight into this new path can help researchers find better treatments for FTLD and Alzheimer’s, the two most common forms of dementia that lead to cognitive decline.
Researchers used advanced techniques to study neurons of patients and mice, including the growing of human neural organoids (“mini-brain”) that can contain different cell types found in the brain.
They discovered that the protein gramd1b plays an important role in how cholesterol and lipid stores are managed in neurons. When GramD1B levels are changed, it changes the balance of cholesterol, lipid stores and quantity of modified Tau in the cells, all of which are linked to brain diseases.
The study is published online in the magazine Nature communication.
Scientists know that GramD1B plays a role in other parts of the body such as the adrenal gland and intestine, but so far the protein has never been studied in the brain. The findings are exciting because by aiming Gramd1B, we may develop new therapies to help people with FTLD and Alzheimer’s. “
Hongjun “Harry” Fu, PhD, Studying corresponding author, university professor of neuroscience in Ohio State
About 50,000 to 60,000 Americans live at FTLD. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older live today with the dementia of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s disease and figures from the Alzheimer’s Association in the Alzheimer Association.
The work was supported by the Alzheimer’s Disease Research of the BrightFocus Foundation, National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, the Ohio State University Chronic Brain injury Theme Pilot Grant and the Ohio State Grant Institute Institute.
Source:
Journal Reference:
Acosta Ingram, D., et al .. (2025). GramD1B is a regulator of lipid homeostasis, autophagic flux and fosphorylored tau. Nature communication. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58585-w.