How brain chemicals may influence tau clumps in Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Structure-based investigation of neurotransmitters as modifiers of tau aggregation
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11610160 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from USC explores how certain brain chemicals might influence the clumping of tau protein related to Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to identify factors that could affect disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,592 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG090904-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11610160 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease who may eventually benefit from therapies targeting tau pathology or neurotransmitter balance.
✕Less likely to help
People without concerns about tau-related pathology or not part of the disease pathway may not directly benefit from these mechanistic studies.
What this research studies
This NIH grant looks at how monoaminergic neurotransmitters could affect tau protein aggregation, a key feature in Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers will test how varying levels of these neurotransmitters influence tau seeding and aggregation in model systems, focusing on the biophysics of disaggregation and its potential to generate smaller toxic species. The work builds on previous cryo-EM findings and aims to map concentration-dependent effects to understand which brain cells might be more vulnerable. If successful, the findings could illuminate new angles for preventing or slowing disease-related tau pathology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how neurotransmitters affect tau aggregation could point to new strategies for reducing tau-related damage in Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed structural links between neurotransmitters and tau aggregation; this project seeks to extend those findings to a functional, concentration-dependent context.
Where this research is happening
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seidler, Paul Matthew — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Seidler, Paul Matthew
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.