Structure of amyloid filaments in brain diseases and aging
Official title: Structure of amyloid fibrils in human neurodegenerative diseases and aging
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11237291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study the tiny structures of protein filaments that build up in brain diseases like Alzheimer's and other dementias to understand how they form and vary.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,070,283 |
| NIH project number | 4R01NS110437-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, other related dementias, or aging individuals whose brain tissue is studied post-mortem or through donated samples.
✕Less likely to help
Living patients may not directly benefit during the study, as analyses rely on tissue and molecular structures.
What this research studies
This project looks at brain tissue to map the exact shapes of protein filaments (tau, amyloid, alpha-synuclein, TMEM106B) at very high detail. By comparing filaments across different diseases and mutations, scientists aim to see common folds that might be targeted by future diagnostics or therapies. The work builds on prior discoveries and seeks to link structure with how these diseases progress in aging brains. Results could guide development of imaging ligands and precision approaches for ADRD patients. The team at Indiana University Indianapolis will perform advanced structural analyses and relate findings to human disease contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer picture of disease-cinching structures could enable better diagnostics and pave the way for targeted treatments in ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has successfully identified atomic structures of tau and related filaments, supporting the feasibility of extending this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vidal, Ruben — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Vidal, Ruben
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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.