Genetics of TDP-43 and mixed-path dementia in older adults
Official title: Genetic Architecture of Aging-Related TDP-43 and Mixed Pathology Dementia
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11457051 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at genes that may raise or lower the risk of TDP-43-related and mixed-path dementia in older adults.
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) | $515,737 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082339-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457051 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are older adults with dementia, people who have donated or can donate brain tissue and clinical records, or individuals willing to provide genetic data linked to their health history.
✕Less likely to help
People without dementia or whose illness is pure Alzheimer’s pathology without TDP-43 may not see direct benefits from this specific work in the near term.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will combine brain autopsy findings, clinical records, and genetic data from many people to better define who has pure TDP-43 disease versus mixed dementia. They will create clear rubrics for different pathology subtypes and use data-driven, computer-based methods to track how pathology progresses. New statistical tools will be used to find genes that increase or decrease risk of these dementia types. The team aims to explain why some people decline quickly while others remain relatively stable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve diagnosis and risk prediction and point to new targets for treatments tailored to TDP-43 and mixed dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Prior genetic studies have found some risk genes for related dementias, but combining multimodal pathology, clinical, and genetic data with new analytic methods is relatively novel.
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.