Sphingolipid rheostat as a potential target for Friedreich’s Ataxia

Evidence indicates that defective sphingolipid metabolism may contribute to different neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Sphingolipids are a group of lipids important for the activity of the brain, and therefore, disturbances in their metabolism can have a huge impact on brain function. Dr Anjomani Virmouni and her group have recently found that the sphingolipid levels and their related genes are altered in FRDA mouse and human samples, which may play a critical role in the disease progression. The aim of this project is to have a clear picture of the sphingolipid changes in FRDA and to identify potential and novel targets for the development of therapeutic strategies in the disease. This may involve the design of novel drugs or repurposing of currently licensed drugs.