Mechanisms of neuronal TRPM2 channel effects on post-stroke cognitive impairment

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded The Ohio State University $180,240 on February 1, 2026, under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853).

The award funds research into the mechanisms by which the neuronal TRPM2 ion channel affects post-stroke cognitive impairment. The project uses genetic animal models and adeno-associated viruses to conditionally knockout TRPM2 from neurons, with the objective of determining whether neuron-specific TRPM2 deletion rescues long-term potentiation and behavioral deficits in the first 30 days following experimental stroke. Secondary aims investigate downstream mediators of TRPM2 activation, specifically the signal transduction pathways through which the channel contributes to cognitive and synaptic dysfunction during oxidative stress.

Place of performance is Columbus, Ohio. The period of performance extends through September 29, 2028. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

Abstract

/ project summary stroke is a significant contributor to death and disability worldwide. With increased survivability due to advancements in clinical treatments, 35-50% of patients suffer from long-term neurological deficits in learning and memory termed post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Utilizing the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of focal ischemia, we can investigate chronic timepoints post-stroke to ameliorate cognitive deficits. Our lab has targeted the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel as a potential locus of therapeutics. As a CA2+ permeable non-specific cation channel, TRPM2 is activated in periods of oxidative stress, such as in stroke, and contributes to both cognitive and synaptic dysfunction. Indeed, data obtained in the laboratory before I joined demonstrates that acute and delayed administration of a TRPM2 channel antagonist improves synaptic and cognitive recovery following experimental stroke. TRPM2 is in multiple cell- types throughout the brain, and I seek to investigate the neuronal component of TRPM2 by utilizing genetic animal models and adeno-associated viruses (AAVS) to conditionally knockout TRPM2 from neurons. In aim 1, I hypothesize that a neuron-specific knockout rescues long-term potentiation (LTP) and behavioral deficits up to 30-days post-stroke. In aim 2, I seek to investigate the downstream mediators of TRPM2. Data suggests that in periods of hypoxia, a positive feedback loop is initiated; TRPM2 is activated and the kinase PKC is then recruited to the area where IT phosphorylates TRPM2 at serine 38 further enhancing activation of the TRPM2 channel. Calcineurin activates (DEPHOSPHORYLATES) glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (GSK-3) after TRPM2 activation. Evidence shows that dephosphorylated GSK-3 is responsible for the internalization of a-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors ultimately leading to a decrease in LTP. A final player in this complex signaling pathway is regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1), which binds to calcineurin and increases its activity at key phosphorylation sites. Due to RCAN1'S role within the calcineurin-GSK-3Β signaling pathway, RCAN1 is implicated in the bidirectional regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Data further suggests a potential link between PKC and the downstream actions of RCAN1 are mediated by TRPM2 channel activation. In aim 2, I hypothesize that decreasing RCAN1 and GSK-3 expression will rescue LTP deficits. This training plan will build methodological skills in electrophysiology, biochemical analyses, and more culminating in multiple manuscripts. IT will also foster the growth of my career attending seminars focused on women in stem, networking to further the advancement of women throughout academia, and mentoring the next generation of scientists. I have chosen DR. Paco herson as my mentor at the ohio state university because they maintain incredibly high standards in state-of-the-art facilities that will ensure my development as an academic neuroscientist.