How alpha-synuclein spreads through the brain in Lewy body dementia
Project I: Alpha Synucleinopathy in the Human Brain Connectome
This project will use brain-network models to track how the protein alpha-synuclein spreads in people with Lewy body dementia and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184455 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will combine clinical information, brain imaging, biomarker data, and tissue findings to build models of how alpha-synuclein moves through brain networks. The team will separate patients into biologically meaningful groups based on whether Alzheimer-type tau changes are also present. They will use those groupings and connectome (brain wiring) data to create prognostic biomarkers that aim to track protein propagation over time. The work includes analysis of living-patient data and autopsy-confirmed findings to link biology with different dementia symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies who can provide clinical information, imaging, and biospecimens (including possible brain donation) are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without Lewy body–related diagnoses or those unwilling/unable to provide imaging or biospecimens are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to biomarkers that better predict progression and help personalize care for people with Lewy body dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biomarker and autopsy studies show that Alzheimer-type tau co-pathology affects decline in LBD, but applying connectome-based predictive models to alpha-synuclein spread is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Irwin, David John — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Irwin, David John
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.