Identifying blood biomarkers for primary tauopathies
Official title: Fluid biomarkers in primary tauopathies
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10890112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new blood test that could help doctors easily spot certain brain diseases caused by a protein called tau, making it simpler for people to get diagnosed and understand their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG081961-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with primary tauopathies such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or neurological disorders that do not involve tauopathies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing blood-based biomarkers to detect primary tauopathies, which are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal tau protein accumulation. The team has identified specific tau species in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can differentiate between various tauopathies and healthy individuals. They aim to optimize mass spectrometry techniques to translate these findings to blood tests, potentially allowing for easier and more accessible diagnosis of these conditions. This work could pave the way for larger studies that further explore the relationship between blood and CSF biomarkers in diagnosing tauopathies and other related neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible diagnostic tools for patients with primary tauopathies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, but this approach for primary tauopathies is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sato, Chihiro — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Sato, Chihiro
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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.