How cellular chaperones control tau in Alzheimer's and related dementias
Tau proteostasis by chaperone-complexes in tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease
See whether two natural chaperone systems in cells can reduce harmful tau clumping that occurs in people with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257698 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study two different chaperone complexes that interact with the tau protein—one that helps tau stay folded and one that tags tau for destruction—to understand how they influence tau levels and clumping. Experiments will be done in lab-grown cells, primary neurons, and mouse models that mimic tau-related brain disease. The team will manipulate the balance between the foldase and degradase complexes and measure effects on tau aggregation and nerve-cell health. Findings aim to reveal whether shifting chaperone activity can lessen tau pathology and neurodegeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this project does not enroll people now, it is most relevant to people living with Alzheimer's disease or other tau-related dementias who might benefit from future tau-targeting treatments.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are caused mainly by non-tau conditions (for example, primarily vascular dementia or synucleinopathies) may be less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that lower tau aggregates and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and other tauopathies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies show chaperones can change tau levels and aggregation, but translating those effects into safe, effective human treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Manu — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Manu
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.