Targeting TTBK1 to stop tau buildup in Alzheimer's
Therapeutic evaluation of targeting Tau Tubulin kinase-1 in Alzheimer’s disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE · NIH-11266131
This project tests whether lowering the brain enzyme TTBK1 can reduce harmful tau protein buildup linked to early Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11266131 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have early Alzheimer's or mild memory problems, this research focuses on an enzyme called TTBK1 that makes tau proteins sticky and prone to clumping. Researchers will study postmortem human brain tissue and run lab and mouse experiments to see if blocking TTBK1 prevents tau from spreading from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus, areas tied to memory loss. The team will use molecular methods and gene-delivery tools to reduce TTBK1 activity and measure effects on tau, neuron connections, and memory-related brain regions. While this work is mainly in the lab and animals now, it aims to guide future treatments and possible clinical trials for people in early stages of Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The most likely future candidates would be people with early or prodromal Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment due to AD-related tau changes.
Not a fit: People with advanced, late-stage Alzheimer's or those whose dementia is not driven by tau pathology are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow or stop early tau spread and the related memory decline in people with early Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and mouse studies have linked TTBK1 to tau pathology, but targeting TTBK1 as a therapy is largely untested in human clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES
- MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE — JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: IKEZU, SEIKO — MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE
- Study coordinator: IKEZU, SEIKO
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease