Why some brain areas and cells are more affected by tau in early-onset Alzheimer's
Investigating regional and cellular vulnerabilities to tau pathology in young-onset Alzheimer's disease
This project looks at how tau protein builds up in different brain regions and cell types in people who develop Alzheimer's before age 65.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241976 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, the team will compare brain scans and brain tissue from people who developed Alzheimer's symptoms before age 65 and do not have known genetic mutations. They will look at how tau tangles progress in different brain areas and follow maturity stages of tangle-bearing neurons. The work focuses on cortical versus limbic regions and on key cell groups like the nucleus basalis and locus coeruleus that help regulate brain signals. Results come from combining detailed neuropathology, imaging data, and cell-level analyses to find patterns tied to younger age of onset.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who developed cognitive symptoms before age 65 without known Alzheimer's-causing mutations, and who can take part in specialized imaging or agree to brain donation for research.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms began after age 65, those with known genetic forms of Alzheimer's, or those unwilling to undergo scans or tissue donation are unlikely to benefit directly from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors recognize different forms of young-onset Alzheimer's earlier and point to new targets for treatments that protect vulnerable brain regions and cells.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging and neuropathology studies have shown distinct tau patterns and involvement of the nucleus basalis and locus coeruleus in younger patients, but this project adds a more detailed, cellular-level analysis that is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Jacksonville, United States
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Jacksonville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murray, Melissa Erin — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Murray, Melissa Erin
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.