Understanding the role of tau protein in Alzheimer's disease progression
Integrated Platform to study Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease
This study is looking at how changes in a protein called tau in the brains of people with Alzheimer's might relate to their symptoms and the progression of the disease, helping us understand how Alzheimer's affects thinking and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076751 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the accumulation of tau protein modifications in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, the study aims to identify and map over 100 different posttranslational modifications of tau across various stages of the disease. By analyzing brain samples from patients with different levels of Alzheimer's severity, the research seeks to correlate these modifications with clinical symptoms and disease progression. This comprehensive approach may provide insights into how tau pathology develops and affects cognitive function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at various stages, as well as age-matched control subjects without the disease.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia or neurological disorders unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new biomarkers for early diagnosis and targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steen, Judith a — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Steen, Judith a
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.