Treating Alzheimer's by targeting harmful tau and beta‑amyloid clumps
Towards Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease by Targeting Pathogenic Tau and Beta-Amyloid Structures
This project is developing drugs and delivery methods to break up toxic tau and beta‑amyloid protein clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258490 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I were to follow this work, researchers would use very detailed 3D images of proteins taken from Alzheimer's brains to design molecules that fit and dismantle tau and beta‑amyloid aggregates. They screen large libraries of compounds that match those protein binding sites and test whether the compounds dissolve fibrils without producing toxic fragments. Chemists on the team will try to package promising compounds into tiny, brain‑penetrating nanoparticles so the drugs can reach the brain. The group is also studying smaller toxic oligomers to find ways to neutralize the forms of protein that may be most harmful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, especially those in early to moderate stages who could benefit from treatments that target protein aggregates, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's, those whose symptoms are driven by other causes, or patients in very late-stage disease or with contraindications to experimental drugs or nanoparticles may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could slow or reverse brain damage by clearing toxic protein aggregates, potentially slowing memory loss and dementia progression.
How similar studies have performed: Structure-guided drug design has worked well for cancers and HIV, and early lab studies show these compounds can dissolve Alzheimer's brain tau fibrils, but clinical benefit in patients has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eisenberg, David — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Eisenberg, David
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.