Developing PET tracers to image alpha‑synuclein and 4R tau in brain diseases
Medicinal Chemistry and Radiochemistry Core
This project is creating new PET imaging agents to help detect alpha‑synuclein in Parkinson’s and MSA and 4R tau in PSP, CBD, and certain frontotemporal dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181309 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient view, teams at the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Pittsburgh are designing and refining small molecules that can be labeled for PET scans and stick specifically to disease proteins in the brain. They combine chemical biology, structural biology (cryo‑EM and solid‑state NMR), advanced radiochemistry, and computer modeling including machine learning to pick and optimize the best candidates. Laboratory methods include photo‑crosslinking, proteomics, molecular dynamics, and ultra‑high throughput screening to improve binding and selectivity. Promising tracers will be prepared for use in clinical imaging through the program's Clinical Core.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), or 4R tau–related frontotemporal dementia who can undergo PET imaging at a study site.
Not a fit: People without protein‑based neurodegenerative diseases, those with non‑4R tau forms of dementia such as typical Alzheimer’s disease, or those unable to travel for scans may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tracers could allow doctors to see disease proteins in living brains earlier and more accurately, improving diagnosis and helping match patients to the right trials or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While amyloid PET and several tau PET tracers have been used clinically, alpha‑synuclein imaging and selective 4R tau tracers are still mostly experimental with only early promising candidates.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mach, Robert H — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mach, Robert H
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.