Project description
Targeting astrocytic hypermetabolism for Alzheimer’s treatment
Alzheimer’s disease research has traditionally focused on protein plaques, often overlooking the role of astrocytic metabolism. The ERC-funded HyperAstroMet project addresses this by investigating astrocytic hypermetabolism, a state in which brain support cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, characterised by excessive glycolysis and disrupted insulin signalling. This project aims to unravel the link between metabolic dysfunction and neuronal loss to identify new therapeutic targets. Using advanced real-time monitoring, it will explore whether targeting sugar gates like GLUT1 can preserve neuronal integrity. Ultimately, the project’s goal is to provide transformative avenues for treating Alzheimer’s by moving beyond the amyloid-centric paradigm.
Objective
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a growing public health challenge, with its prevalence steadily increasing profoundly affecting both patients and their families. Despite extensive research focusing on amyloid-beta and tau as central pathological hallmarks of AD, the crucial role of astrocytic metabolism in neurodegeneration has often been overlooked. The HyperAstroMet project introduces a novel approach by investigating astrocytic hypermetabolism as a pivotal driver of neuronal hyperexcitability, dysfunction, and cognitive decline in AD. Astrocytes, integral to brain energy homeostasis, undergo significant metabolic reprogramming in the context of AD, marked by excessive glycolysis, altered glycogen storage, and disrupted insulin receptor signaling. These metabolic disturbances are thought to contribute to disease progression, yet their precise mechanisms remain poorly understood.
This project aims to unravel the complex interplay between astrocytic metabolic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration in AD. Specifically, it seeks to identify new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention by elucidating how astrocytic hypermetabolism exacerbates neuronal dysfunction. Preliminary data from our lab suggest that targeting astrocytic glycolysis, particularly through GLUT1 ablation, can alleviate cognitive deficits and preserve neuronal integrity, potentially through compensatory upregulation of insulin receptor signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms driving these improvements are still not fully elucidated.
To address these knowledge gaps, HyperAstroMet employs cutting-edge methodologies, to monitor real-time astrocyte and neuronal activity and to dissect the therapeutic potential of targeting astrocytic metabolism. By focusing on astrocytic metabolic dysfunction, this research seeks to provide a transformative shift in the understanding of AD pathogenesis, moving beyond the amyloid-centric paradigm and opening new avenues for treatment and prevention.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2025-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
31080 PAMPLONA
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.