Project description
Investigating the health effects of deuterium depletion water
High concentrations of deuterium in water cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Extremely high concentrations can also lead to cell death. Deuterium-depleted water (DDW) appears to represent a safe intervention, and companies in the EU sell DDW at different concentrations to the public. However, the positive health effects of DDW are not entirely understood. The EU-funded Aqua-Synapse project will establish the mechanistic basis for the positive health effects of DDW and determine what regimens are most efficacious. The project will apply advanced imaging techniques to measure regional metabolic fluxes in the body of animals in healthy individuals and those subject to stress following the administration of DDW at different concentrations and for different periods.
Objective
Core idea of this project is to establish the mechanistic basis for the positive health effects of deuterium depleted water and determine what regimens are most efficacious. Isotope content of drinking water has been shown affect the pathogenesis of cancers to ameliorate the stress response and reduce susceptibility to many diseases, but it remains unclear how the positive biological effects of heavy isotope reduction in drinking water are mediated. High concentrations of deuterium induce mitochondrial dysfunction, and very high concentrations can induce cell death, but the administration of deuterium at 91 ppm has antidepressant effects that were comparable to that of citalopram in a mouse model of depression. Use of deuterium depleted water appears to represent a safe intervention with few, if any, reported side effects, but it remains unclear at what concentrations the positive metabolic and behavioral effects become apparent. Companies in Europe now sell DDW at different concentrations to the public amidst a plethora of health claims that mostly lack in any sound scientific basis or safety data Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the impact of DDW on brain and behavior at a molecular level. We will use state-of-the art imaging techniques to measure regional metabolic fluxes in the body of animals in healthy individuals throughout life and those subject to stress following the administration of DDW at different concentrations and for different periods. Also we examine how deuterium depletion affects the behaviors of neurons in vitro and electrophysiological levels and in terms of their metabolism. The project is made possible by bringing together a consortium of chemists, cell biologists, pharmacologists, imaging specialists, psychiatrists, and DDW producers for medicinal needs in fully translational work packages to discover, in an empiric manner, how the manipulation of metabolic pathways with DDW can be employed for the benefit of human health
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-SE - HORIZON TMA MSCA Staff Exchanges
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-SE-01
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1749-024 LISBOA
Portugal
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