# Dissecting the role of the Scully network in ADRD

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO · 2022 · $380,000

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are chronic diseases without cure and affect
disproportionately more Hispanics and African Americans than White Americans. The risk factors
and mechanisms causing ADRD and disparity are, however, poorly understood. To combat ADRD
and eliminate the disparity, we need to better understand the risk factors and mechanisms causing
dementia and disparity. We address this urgent need in Drosophila, in which mutant flies for most
genes are already available, and functions of all genes can be readily manipulated in specific cells or
neural circuits via state-of-the-art transgenic approaches. It is indeed highly feasible in Drosophila
to study the contributions of practically all genes and their interactions with each other and with
non-genetic risk factors to dementia. To this end, the overarching objective of this study is to
discover the risk factors and mechanisms for ADRD and their disparity using innovative strategies.
ADRD are multifactorial, involving genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Social stress, in particular, is
known to enhance ADRD risk and progression while the underlying mechanism is unknown.
Notably, multiple lines of evidence point to social stigma such as perceived discrimination and
acculturation stress as key factors contributing to cancer and brain health disparities in ethnic/racial
minorities including Hispanics. We found that heterozygous mutations in Scully (Scu) coding for the
ortholog of human HSD17B10 (Ab binding protein) cause the aging-dependent and social-stress
sensitive impairment in inhibitory control and memory loss. Scu is a multifunctional protein with
many interacting molecules (Scu network). In this project, we will investigate the interaction of the
Scu network genes and social stress as a model for ADRD disparity in Hispanics. The objective of the
BBRC award is to advance our knowledge of health disparities that profoundly impact the Hispanic
community through basic, behavioral, and clinical research. The proposed work is thus in line with
the objective of the BBRC award. As the UTEP and El Paso community are largely Hispanics, this
study will promote research relevant to our students and community and also increase the
representation of Hispanics in neuroscience research that is disproportionately low at present.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10499676
- **Project number:** 3U54MD007592-29S5
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASO
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert A. Kirken
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $380,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1998-06-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10499676

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10499676, Dissecting the role of the Scully network in ADRD (3U54MD007592-29S5). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10499676. Licensed CC0.

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