KIBRA-based peptide to repair synapses and improve memory in tau-related dementia
Official title: Synapse repair in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Funded at Buck Institute for Research on Aging · NIH-11390722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mouse models of Alzheimer's-like tauopathy tests a KIBRA-derived peptide to repair brain connections and improve memory related to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Buck Institute for Research on Aging NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Novato, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $785,081 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG096932-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390722 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias driven by tau pathology, who may later participate in translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without tauopathy or non-tau-related dementias may not benefit from this mechanism.
What this research studies
This project investigates whether a peptide derived from the KIBRA protein can restore synapse function in tau-related dementias. By using 3xTg-AD mice, the team will examine how the peptide affects hippocampal LTP and memory performance, focusing on the PKC pathway and synaptic protein phosphorylation. The research aims to translate these findings toward therapies that could slow or reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. If successful, this work could inform future human studies and therapeutic strategies addressing synaptic repair in tauopathies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could restore synaptic function and memory in tau-related dementias, potentially slowing cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tauopathy models showed that targeting synaptic pathways can improve memory, supporting potential benefit but human translation remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Novato, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tracy, Tara — Buck Institute for Research on Aging
- Study coordinator: Tracy, Tara
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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.