Investigating tau protein accumulation and its effects on movement in brain injuries.
Official title: Tau Pathology in Motor Regions and Parkinsonism in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Comparison to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11085161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how repeated head injuries might lead to movement problems, like those seen in Parkinson's disease, by examining changes in the brain after someone has passed away, and it aims to find clues that could help diagnose these issues better for people affected by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS127449-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of repetitive head trauma and symptoms of parkinsonism or cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a history of head trauma or those not exhibiting symptoms related to tauopathies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma, and its relationship with tau protein accumulation in the brain. The study aims to understand how this accumulation, along with inflammation and blood vessel damage, contributes to movement disorders like parkinsonism. By examining postmortem brain tissue, researchers will compare the tau pathology in CTE with other tau-related disorders, such as progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, to uncover potential links between head trauma and motor symptoms. The goal is to identify biomarkers that could help in diagnosing and understanding these conditions better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and treatment strategies for patients suffering from movement disorders related to brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding tauopathies, but this specific investigation into CTE and its unique pathology is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirsch, Daniel a — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Kirsch, Daniel a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding walking and balance problems in a rare neurological condition.
This study is looking at how walking and balance problems affect people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and aims to create better ways to measure these issues so that patients can receive improved care and support.
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Investigating tau protein accumulation in the brain related to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
This study is looking at how a protein called tau builds up in certain parts of the brain and how that might lead to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), with the goal of finding early signs of the disease and better ways to diagnose and treat it.
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.