Understanding the TDP-43 protein in frontotemporal dementia and ALS
Administrative Core
This center aims to understand how a protein called TDP-43 causes frontotemporal dementia and related ALS so researchers can find earlier markers and new treatment targets for people affected by these diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172539 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project brings together experts in genetics, genomics, neurology, and pathology to study FTLD-TDP (frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43). The team will analyze human brain tissue and high-resolution images to map where TDP-43 is located in different brain regions and how it affects RNA splicing. They will integrate genetic and molecular data to find early signs of TDP-43 dysfunction and potential molecular targets. All data and code will be shared through a public web portal to help other researchers and clinicians build on the findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with frontotemporal dementia or ALS (or their families) who are willing to share clinical or genetic information or donate tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment benefit or those without TDP-43–related disease should not expect direct, short-term personal benefit from this center's work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal early biological markers of disease and point to new targets for therapies for frontotemporal dementia and related ALS.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked TDP-43 to ALS and FTD and shown mis-splicing, but this integrated, large-scale human-brain imaging and genetics approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gitler, Aaron D. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Gitler, Aaron D.
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.