Understanding how tau spreads in Alzheimer's disease that affects more than just memory
Spreading Tau Pathology in Non-Amnestic Alzheimer's Disease
This project aims to understand how a harmful protein called tau spreads in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, especially when their symptoms don't primarily involve memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into how a specific protein, called tau, moves through the brain in people with Alzheimer's disease, particularly those whose symptoms affect areas like vision, language, or movement rather than just memory. Our team will use advanced brain imaging techniques, including PET scans to track tau and MRI scans to look at the brain's white matter connections. By comparing these images over time, we hope to discover if changes in these connections predict how tau spreads from one brain region to another. This work could help us better understand the different ways Alzheimer's disease affects people and potentially lead to new ways to slow its progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with non-memory-related symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease or those whose condition is not related to tau pathology would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how Alzheimer's disease progresses in different individuals, potentially guiding the development of more targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While the idea of tau spreading along brain connections has been explored in animal models, this project aims to test this specific mechanism in humans using advanced imaging, representing a novel approach in this context.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, Jeffrey S — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Phillips, Jeffrey S
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.