How abnormal tau protein clumps form and spread in Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Structure and Genesis of tau Aggregates
Researchers are working to understand how tau protein clumps form, change shape, and spread in people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias so new tests and therapies can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297716 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team studies tiny pieces of the tau protein to see how they stick together under different chemical conditions and after specific modifications like phosphorylation. They use biochemical experiments and high-resolution structural methods to map the shapes of different tau filaments. The researchers test whether one form of tau can seed or trigger other tau to adopt the same shape and also examine how small-molecule probes bind to those shapes. Results could guide imaging markers and drugs that target the specific tau forms found in different dementias.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other tau-related dementias and to those willing to donate samples or take part in related clinical studies in the future.
Not a fit: People with non-tau-driven conditions or unrelated neurological disorders are unlikely to get direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better tests that detect disease-specific tau shapes and to drugs that selectively block harmful tau clumps.
How similar studies have performed: Prior structural studies have identified disease-specific tau filament shapes and lab models have shown prion-like seeding, but turning those findings into widely used diagnostics or treatments remains limited so far.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuret, Jeff — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Kuret, Jeff
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.