Mapping abnormal and broken-down proteins in Alzheimer's by brain region and cell type
Comprehensive and Cell Type-Specific Proteogenomic Profiling of Aberrant and Mis-Processed Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease and Tauopathy Models
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11332613
This project maps faulty and mis-processed proteins in Alzheimer's brains, by region and by specific cell types, to point to new targets for diagnosis and treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11332613 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced protein-mapping methods combined with DNA and RNA information (proteogenomics) to identify abnormal protein forms, chemical tags, and protein fragments that build up in Alzheimer's. They will study multiple brain regions and resolve differences between specific cell types, using both human tissue and laboratory models of tau-related disease. The team aims to create a detailed catalogue of altered proteins and their sources, including genetic changes, RNA splicing differences, and post-translational modifications. This cellular and region-specific map is meant to reveal proteins or pathways that could become targets for future treatments or biomarkers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer's disease or related tauopathies who can provide clinical information or donate biospecimens (including brain tissue through donation programs) or who join linked clinical sample-collection efforts.
Not a fit: People without an Alzheimer's diagnosis or those seeking immediate treatment effects are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new protein targets and biomarkers that help develop better tests and therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have identified a few disease-linked proteins, but this large-scale, cell-type-resolved proteogenomic approach is relatively new and more comprehensive than past work.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SLAVOV, NIKOLAI — NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SLAVOV, NIKOLAI
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's disease patient, Alzheimer's disease therapeutic