PET imaging for 4R tau brain diseases (PSP, CBD, FTLD)
In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of PET Radiotracers for the 4R Variant of Tau
This project develops new PET scan agents to help doctors see 4-repeat (4R) tau protein clumps in people with PSP, corticobasal degeneration, or certain frontotemporal dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181320 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is creating and improving chemical tracers that stick to 4R-tau protein clumps so PET scans can show them in the brain. They will test candidate tracers on human brain tissue samples to measure how specifically and strongly they bind to 4R tau versus other proteins. Promising tracers will move into animal imaging studies to check brain uptake and behavior in living systems. Chemistry and radiochemistry experts will work together to pick the best leads for eventual human imaging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with or suspected of having 4R tauopathies—such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration—would be the main candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are caused by non-tau conditions or those with Alzheimer's disease dominated by mixed 3R/4R tau may not gain benefit from a 4R-specific tracer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tracers could let doctors diagnose 4R tau disorders earlier, track disease progress, and show whether anti-tau treatments are working.
How similar studies have performed: Existing PET tracers work for mixed 3R/4R tau in Alzheimer's but have not shown strong sensitivity for pure 4R tau, so this project aims for a novel, more specific approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mathis, Chester a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mathis, Chester a
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.