BET proteins and brain inflammation in Alzheimer's and related tau diseases
Role of BET proteins in neuroinflammation in tauopathy
Researchers are testing whether blocking BET proteins can reduce harmful brain inflammation in people with Alzheimer's and other tau-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11213923 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how BET proteins control microglia, the brain's immune cells, in diseases where the protein Tau builds up and damages neurons. Scientists use zebrafish models and genetic tools like CRISPR to turn genes on or off and watch how microglia and neurons respond. They also test a chemical BET inhibitor that in early work improved inflammation and neurological function in the zebrafish model. The goal is to learn whether targeting BET proteins could protect brain cells and guide future treatments for patients with tauopathies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or other tau-related conditions would be the eventual candidates for therapies derived from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by Tau pathology (for example pure vascular dementia or non-tau proteinopathies) or those needing immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage lab work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that reduce damaging brain inflammation and slow progression of Alzheimer's and other tau-related diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies using bromodomain/BET inhibitors have reduced inflammation and improved outcomes in animal models, but these approaches have not yet been proven effective in people.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burton, Edward Alan — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Burton, Edward Alan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.