Early signs of frontotemporal dementia in rhesus monkeys with a MAPT mutation
Official title: Frontotemporal dementia in rhesus macaques
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11284047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are following rhesus monkeys that carry the human MAPT R406W mutation to find early brain and behavior changes that could guide prevention for people at risk of frontotemporal dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $753,301 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS124857-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11284047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who carry, or have a strong family history suggesting they carry, the MAPT R406W mutation (genetic FTD families) would be most likely to benefit from the findings.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-genetic FTD, FTD caused by other genes, or those already in advanced symptomatic stages are less likely to receive direct benefit from this animal-focused research.
What this research studies
If I or a family member carry the MAPT R406W mutation linked to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), this project follows rhesus macaques engineered to carry the exact human mutation across their lifespans to map when brain and behavior changes first appear. The team will collect brain imaging, behavioral testing, and biological samples at multiple ages from infancy through adulthood to build a timeline of early pathology. Because rhesus brains are closer to human brains than rodents, findings may better predict when to start protective treatments in people with the same mutation. The aim is to translate those biomarker timelines into guidance for future clinical monitoring and early intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pinpoint when FTD-related brain changes begin and help time future neuroprotective treatments to prevent symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Human imaging and mouse genetic studies have identified early biomarker changes in genetic FTD, but using rhesus macaques with the exact human MAPT R406W mutation is novel and less-tested.
Where this research is happening
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emborg, Marina — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Emborg, Marina
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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.