Environmental factors that may increase TDP‑43-related brain damage linked to dementia
Environmental risk factors linked to TDP-43 proteinopathies
This project looks for common environmental chemicals that might cause harmful changes in a brain protein (TDP‑43) linked to Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310108 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on chemicals and other environmental exposures that could trigger harmful changes to a brain protein called TDP‑43, which is tied to Alzheimer’s and other age-related dementias. The team uses automated high‑content microscopy screens to test many toxicants and identify ones that promote TDP‑43 dysfunction. They combine genetic lab models and computational modeling to figure out how those exposures act in cells and disease contexts. The goal is to uncover new environmental risk factors and point toward prevention or treatment strategies based on reducing exposure or targeting the affected pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, ALS, or other conditions linked to TDP‑43 pathology would be most directly relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with unrelated health conditions or dementias not involving TDP‑43 may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify environmental risks people can avoid and point to new ways to prevent or slow TDP‑43–related neurodegeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological studies have suggested links between some exposures and TDP‑43 pathology, but applying high‑throughput lab screening to find new chemical promoters is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, Todd Jonathan — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Cohen, Todd Jonathan
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.