How an immune sensor (cGAS) and aging microglia affect tau-related Alzheimer's
Investigating the role of cGAS signaling and microglial senscence in tauopathy
This project tests whether blocking a cell immune sensor called cGAS can reduce harmful microglial inflammation and improve memory in people with tau-related Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379341 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare brain tissue from mice with mutant tau and human Alzheimer's samples to see if cGAS signaling is overactive. They remove or block cGAS in mice and measure memory, brain activity, and single-cell gene changes in microglia. The team studies how tau causes mitochondrial DNA stress that turns on cGAS in microglia and changes microglial states. The goal is to learn whether targeting cGAS could protect brain cells and preserve memory in tau-driven disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease characterized by tau pathology or those at high risk for tau-driven cognitive decline would be the most likely candidates for future therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose dementia is not driven by tau pathology or whose symptoms arise from unrelated causes may not benefit from cGAS-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new treatments that lower harmful brain inflammation and slow memory loss in people with tau-driven Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in mouse models and other neurodegenerative diseases link cGAS to brain inflammation and show symptom improvement when cGAS activity is reduced, but human treatments targeting cGAS are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amin, Sadaf — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Amin, Sadaf
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.