How loss of TDP-43 affects brain signals to help dementia
Official title: Loss of TDP-43 disrupts the prefrontal neural activity and circuitry: relevance for TDP-43 linked ADRD
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11384202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how losing a brain protein called TDP-43 changes brain activity in Alzheimer’s-related dementias and what that could mean for new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $731,638 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129878-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with ADRD or those at risk where early brain network changes could be studied, potentially expanding to future therapeutic trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ADRD or related pathology may not directly benefit from this mechanistic research.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Wyoming will explore how TDP-43 protein problems disrupt early brain signals and networks before neurons die in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. They aim to connect these early changes to RNA splicing of calcium channels, which could point to new therapeutic targets. The study uses a multidisciplinary approach to link molecular changes with measurable brain activity patterns that appear early in the disease process. The findings could help identify points to intervene before significant cognitive decline occurs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets and strategies to slow or prevent progression of ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows TDP-43 pathology is linked to dementia and neural network changes, with evolving evidence that RNA splicing affects brain function.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yun — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Li, Yun
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.