Protein network damage in frontotemporal dementia
Nanoscale Protein Network Degeneration in FTLD
Researchers will examine tiny protein clumps in brains from people with frontotemporal dementia to understand how they damage brain networks.
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-11265590 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses donated brain tissue from people who had frontotemporal lobar degeneration to take extremely high-resolution images of protein networks inside brain cells. Scientists will apply cryo-electron tomography to visualize TDP-43 and TMEM106B aggregates in place and use new tissue processing and bioinformatics tools to map nanoscale changes. They will also model how the cell's protein-cleaning systems break down in cultured neurons to test how these protein changes affect cell function. Results will be combined with other projects in the program to build a fuller picture of how dementia spreads through brain networks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (or suspected TDP-43-related dementia) who are willing to enroll in brain donation and share clinical records are ideal candidates for contributing to this work.
Not a fit: People without frontotemporal dementia or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this basic-science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal how protein aggregates drive frontotemporal dementia and point to targets for future diagnostics or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: High-resolution imaging has revealed protein aggregate structures in other brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, while applying cryo-electron tomography to human TDP-43 pathology is a newer and emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Edward Byung-Ha — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Lee, Edward Byung-Ha
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.