# Project 1 - Microglial activation in DNRAb-mediated brain pathology in mice

> **NIH NIH P01** · FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH · 2020 · $931,639

## Abstract

Project 1:
Abstract
We have shown that DNRAb, antibodies that cross-react with DNA and N-methyl D-aspartate
receptor, cause cognitive impairment when they penetrate the hippocampus. The neural injury
proceeds in two stages. First, there is excitotoxic neuronal death; second, there is microglial
activation and dendritic loss in surviving neurons. Microglial suppression by angiotensin
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition restores neuronal integrity and cognitive function. We
propose now to study the mechanism of microglial activation and dendritic loss and the
mechanism of action of ACE inhibition. These studies have the potential to suggest additional
therapeutic targets for ameliorating cognitive impairment in neuropsychiatric lupus.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10024601
- **Project number:** 2P01AI073693-11A1
- **Recipient organization:** FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** BRUCE Thomas VOLPE
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $931,639
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2008-08-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10024601

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10024601, Project 1 - Microglial activation in DNRAb-mediated brain pathology in mice (2P01AI073693-11A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10024601. Licensed CC0.

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