“We're hoping to be able to identify age-related triggers that would serve as useful therapeutic targets, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical trial outcomes and creating sustained and meaningful patient benefits.”
Watch the full interview with Dr Anthony Cutrupi below.
Project Summary:
Aging is a natural process that affects every cell in the body and is a major risk factor for diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons, the nerve cells controlling muscle movement, and is fatal within three to five years of diagnosis. Despite the clear link between age and ALS, little is known about how the cellular and molecular changes that occur with aging contribute to disease onset and progression. Current preclinical models do not reflect these age-related changes, contributing to the failure of more than 98% of clinical trials over the past two decades. Developing models that accurately capture aging is therefore critical.
Our project aims to create innovative human cell models that incorporate cellular aging using human spinal motor neurons derived from stem cells. By modelling age-related changes in these neurons, we hope to identify the early molecular triggers that drive ALS onset and progression. Understanding these triggers will reveal crucial targets for new therapies, improving clinical trial success and ultimately offering patients better quality of life and meaningful, sustained benefits.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.