How seizures may increase spread of tau in Alzheimer's
Seizure-induced enhancement of synaptic signaling regulating tau transmissibility in Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at whether seizures make the tau protein spread more in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310193 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will use two new mouse models where tau is 'seeded' to watch how later seizures change where and how much tau builds up in the brain. Neurons activated by seizures will be permanently labeled to see if active synapses help tau move between cells, and we will measure tau and other disease markers across the whole brain and in single neurons. The team will also examine human brain tissue from people with Alzheimer's who did or did not have seizures to check whether the mouse findings match human biology. Together this work aims to map how seizure-driven brain activity might speed tau spread and related damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, especially those who have had seizures, or families willing to donate brain tissue after death, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with other types of dementia that do not involve tau, or those not able to donate tissue or take part in related clinical follow-up, may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to prevent or slow tau spread—such as treating seizures or blocking synaptic mechanisms—to slow Alzheimer's decline.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have linked seizures to worse amyloid and tau outcomes, but using tau seeding together with permanent activity labels to map spread is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Frances E — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Frances E
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.