Investigating how brain cells communicate during health and Alzheimer's disease.
Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy of Synaptic Plasticity on Unmodified Brain Slices in Health and Tauopathy
This study is looking at how brain cells change their connections, which is important for memory and learning, by comparing brain samples from healthy people and those with tauopathy, a condition related to Alzheimer's disease, to see how these changes differ.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10729062 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of brain cells to strengthen or weaken their connections. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to observe changes in specific receptors that play a crucial role in memory and learning. The researchers will analyze brain slices from both healthy individuals and those affected by tauopathy, a condition linked to Alzheimer's disease, to gain insights into how these processes differ. This approach allows for a detailed examination of neuronal communication without altering the brain tissue, providing a clearer picture of synaptic function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related tauopathies, as well as healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to tauopathy may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the mechanisms of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease, potentially guiding the development of targeted therapies.
How similar studies have performed: While super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has been used in other contexts, applying it to unmodified brain slices in this manner is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Selvin, Paul R — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Selvin, Paul R
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.