Genetic causes of age-related TDP-43 changes and mixed dementia
Official title: Genetic Architecture of Aging-Related TDP-43 and Mixed Pathology Dementia
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11504348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for gene differences that help explain why older adults develop TDP-43–related and mixed dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $84,564 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG082339-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11504348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults in memory-disorder or brain-donation cohorts, people with amnestic dementia, or families willing to contribute clinical records and brain tissue to research.
✕Less likely to help
People whose dementia is unrelated to TDP-43 or who have rare early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease may not see direct benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine genetic data, clinical records, and brain autopsy findings from older adults to understand patterns of TDP-43 and co-existing brain pathologies. They will create data-driven ways to label “pure” versus “mixed” forms of disease and map how pathology progresses. New statistical tools and an analysis pipeline will be used to find genetic risk and protective factors linked to clinical outcomes. The goal is to explain why some people decline rapidly while others have milder symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve diagnosis, identify people at higher risk, and point to new targets for treatments tailored to TDP-43 and mixed dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Prior genetic and autopsy studies have found some risk genes for LATE and related pathologies, but comprehensive pipelines for mixed-pathology genetics remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fardo, David William — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Fardo, David William
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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.