How tau buildup relates to brain shrinkage in Alzheimer's using PET and MRI
Characterization of relationship between tau pathology and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease using multimodal imaging
This project looks at how tau protein buildup links to brain tissue loss in people with Alzheimer's using brain scans.
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-11258897 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses tau PET scans to measure tau protein and structural MRI to measure regional brain thickness in people with symptomatic, amyloid-positive Alzheimer's. Researchers will model the expected relationship between regional tau signal and local brain atrophy. They will examine where atrophy is higher or lower than expected (model residuals) and use data-driven clustering to identify distinct patterns or subtypes. The goal is to find factors such as genetics, age, or past brain injury that change how tau contributes to brain damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with symptomatic Alzheimer's disease who are amyloid-positive and willing to undergo PET and MRI scans are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's-related amyloid buildup, those without symptoms, or those unable to have PET or MRI scans may not benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify different Alzheimer's subtypes and improve prediction of who may decline faster or respond to specific treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using tau PET and MRI have linked tau to atrophy, but using region-wise model residuals and data-driven clustering to define mismatch-based subtypes is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Das, Sandhitsu — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Das, Sandhitsu
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.