Molecular-guided imaging to detect TDP-43 changes in frontotemporal dementia
Molecular-Guided Neuroimaging Biomarkers in FTLD-TDP
This project combines very high-resolution brain imaging with molecular mapping to find TDP-43-related damage in people with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer-related changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11265592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you participate by enrolling in associated clinical programs or donating brain tissue, the team will combine ultra-high-resolution ex vivo MRI with detailed maps of gene activity and microscopic tissue examinations. They will compare patterns of TDP-43 proteinopathy with tau-related changes to see which cells and brain areas are most affected. The researchers use validated digital histology and spatial transcriptomics to build maps of cellular vulnerability. The goal is to translate those maps into imaging markers that can help identify and track TDP-43 disease during life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with frontotemporal dementia or early-onset Alzheimer-type symptoms, and those willing to participate in specialized clinic evaluations or brain donation programs.
Not a fit: People without suspected neurodegenerative disease, or those expecting immediate treatment benefits, are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to imaging or molecular markers that let doctors diagnose and follow TDP-43-related dementia without waiting for autopsy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and digital-histology work has shown distinct patterns of TDP-43 versus tau, but reliable in-life biomarkers for TDP-43 are not yet available, so this approach is promising but still translational.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Irwin, David John — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Irwin, David John
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.