Tau strain propagation in models of Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: Detection, Classification, and Propagation of Tau Strains
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11530233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how different tau protein shapes linked to Alzheimer’s can spread in human-like models to better understand disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,990 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG096620-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11530233 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related tauopathies whose brain tissue or derived samples could inform model systems or future translational research.
✕Less likely to help
This grant focuses on animal and cellular models, so direct patient benefit during the project is not guaranteed.
What this research studies
This project uses biosensor assays and tau monomer alanine scanning to classify tau strains and then tests whether these strains replicate faithfully when introduced into human tau knock-in mice and neuronal systems. It aims to see if current animal and cell models accurately mirror the tau structures seen in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. By examining how single strains behave and whether they diversify during propagation, the study seeks to clarify how tau-driven pathology evolves in the brain. The work builds toward more accurate disease models that could inform future therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve the realism of Alzheimer’s models and inform the development of strain-targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown distinct tau strains across tauopathies, but this project extends understanding by testing propagation fidelity in humanized models.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diamond, Marc I — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Diamond, Marc I
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.