The molecular mechanisms that lead to neuronal damage in ARSACS are still not fully understood. This project will investigate ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and harmful lipid damage. Preliminary findings show that cells lacking functional sacsin display signs of increased ferroptosis and are particularly vulnerable to factors that trigger this process. The research team will examine why ARSACS cells are more susceptible to ferroptosis and test whether ferroptosis inhibitors can reduce disease-related changes in these cells. One of the compounds to be evaluated is a drug candidate already being studied in clinical trials. The researchers will also look for markers of ferroptosis in ARSACS brain tissue. These studies could reveal a previously unrecognized disease mechanism and identify a promising therapeutic pathway for ARSACS.
Grant: $25,000
Dr. Antonio Jose Martins Currais
Auxiliary Researcher (Research)
Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
Lisbon, Portugal
Contact: ajcurrais@fc.ul.pt
