Understanding age-related tauopathies that contribute to Alzheimer's disease
Official title: The Contribution of Age-Related Tauopathies to Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11463279 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how different age-related brain diseases with abnormal tau protein relate to and help cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,590,258 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1AG062348-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463279 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related tauopathies and their families who may benefit from clearer diagnostic information in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; the project focuses on pathology and diagnosis improvements that may inform future care.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has or is at risk for Alzheimer’s or related dementia, this research helps clarify how specific tau-related brain changes appear and how they differ among conditions. Researchers are refining diagnostic criteria for tauopathies and using new imaging and molecular tools to better classify tissue samples. They have already shown that 4R tau helps recognize certain tauopathies earlier and that machine learning can aid in identifying distinct brain pathologies. The work could improve diagnosis accuracy and lay groundwork for future therapies by linking tau patterns to clinical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved accuracy in diagnosing tau-related brain diseases, which could guide better treatment choices and pave the way for targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that 4R tau staining and machine learning approaches can improve recognition of tauopathies, suggesting promising progress in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckee, Ann C. — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Mckee, Ann C.
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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.