Interaction Between Environmental Factors and Lewy Body Dementia (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) leads the NIH research programs in ADRD, including Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). LBD is a complex brain disorder that affects more than one million Americans, leading to disabilities in thought and movement. The precise cause of LBD is unknown, but it is associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, affecting brain cell function and leading to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, sleep, and mood.

The goal of the grant is to support research that establishes causal links between a range of environmental factors and Lewy body formation.

Grant Details
This funding opportunity aims to support mechanistic, translational, and human subject studies to understand the relationship between environmental factors and LBD. It will focus on exogenous environmental risk factors (ERFs) that influence LBD, such as air pollution, water and soil contamination, climate change, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and built environment factors.

The initiative expects successful research proposals to draw expertise from neuroscientists with deep expertise in basic, translational, and clinical research in LBD and scientists with expertise in exogenous ERFs that can influence the human body. The proposed projects should result in identifying exogenous ERFs that have an effect on LBD, providing mechanistic insight into the biological plausibility of these ERFs having clinical relevance to LBD, identifying new therapeutic targets for treatment of LBD, and developing new interventional strategies based on the control of LBD-relevant exogenous ERFs.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible organizations include higher education institutions, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), faith-based or community-based organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 5 years. The earliest start date for project activities is October 04, 2024.

Grant Value
NIH intends to commit a total budget of $3,750,000 per year to fund up to 5 awards. Application budgets are limited to no more than $500,000 in direct costs per year.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic location(s) for the grant activities will be determined by the applicant organizations.