Cis-proline tau toxicity in brain injury and dementia
Official title: Cis proline directed proteotoxicity in the early development and therapy of traumatic brain injury and vascular dementia
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11386513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a specific toxic form of tau protein appears after brain injury and contributes to Alzheimer’s-related dementia, and how early intervention might protect neurons.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,895 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AG076739-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury or are at risk for vascular dementia may be eligible for related studies or informational participation.
✕Less likely to help
Some activities may involve basic science or animal studies that do not directly benefit patients.
What this research studies
This project looks at how traumatic brain injury and reduced blood flow in the brain trigger a harmful tau protein shape called cis P-tau, which may kick off neurodegeneration. It studies the role of a kinase called JNK3 in creating this tau form and whether REST-driven neuron responses can counteract it. The work combines mouse models, cell culture, and observations from patients to explore early intervention strategies, including potential JNK3 inhibitors and REST-based protection, across the initial and later stages of disease. The K99/R00 plan involves mentoring and transitioning to independent work focused on preventing tau-related damage after brain injury and in vascular dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early treatments that prevent or lessen tau-driven neurodegeneration after brain injury and vascular dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data and single-cell analyses support a link between cis P-tau and neurodegeneration, with some early translational signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiu, Chenxi — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Qiu, Chenxi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Harmful tau protein changes after brain injury and vascular dementia
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Investigating how a specific protein contributes to brain damage in Alzheimer's and related conditions
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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.