New drugs to strengthen nerve-cell skeletons in Alzheimer's and related tau diseases
Development of a MT-stabilizing agent for the treatment of tauopathies
This project will try to find a brain-penetrant drug that stabilizes microtubules to help people with Alzheimer's disease and other tau-related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are looking for medicines that keep the internal 'skeleton' (microtubules) of nerve cells stable because abnormal tau protein can make them fall apart in Alzheimer's and other tauopathies. They will screen and test candidate compounds in the lab and in animal models to identify ones that enter the brain and restore microtubule structure and nerve-cell transport. Promising compounds will be studied for effects on neuron health, tau pathology, and memory-related behaviors in mice. Successful leads would be prepared for later safety testing in people and possible early clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future trial candidates would be people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or other tau-related neurodegenerative conditions who are willing to consider participation in clinical research.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, non-tau forms of dementia, or serious medical issues are less likely to benefit from this early-stage preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that protect neurons, slow brain damage, and help preserve memory and function in people with Alzheimer's and related tau diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related work with the microtubule-stabilizer epothilone D showed strong benefits in mouse models and reached a small Phase 1b trial in people, but clear clinical benefit has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caffrey, Conor — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Caffrey, Conor
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.