U24AG072458

Interdisciplinary Research Network on Biologically Active Tau Aggregate Polymorphs from Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias - Project Summary

Tau aggregation is a shared pathology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, collectively known as tauopathies. Each disorder develops a unique combination of aggregate polymorphisms and co-morbidities that may influence the course and severity of the disease. Therefore, elucidating the relationship between tau aggregate structure and biological activity has become a high priority in the field.

Advances in this area have been limited by the lack of rigorously standardized aggregate preparations from each form of tauopathy and the absence of tools needed to selectively detect their presence in biological models and clinical specimens. To address this need, the proposed Interdisciplinary Research Network on Biologically Active Tau Aggregate Polymorphs aims to:

1. Isolate a full range of biologically active tau aggregates from authentic Alzheimer's disease, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Pick's disease brain tissue.
2. Establish their structures through biophysical analysis.
3. Develop probe sets for their selective detection.
4. Disseminate reliably vetted samples and lab-ready protocols for their handling and storage to the broader research community.

By accomplishing these goals, the network will support research into the molecular basis of tauopathy pathogenesis and catalyze efforts toward creating novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies specifically tailored against toxic tau aggregate polymorphs.

University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston

TO ENCOURAGE BIOMEDICAL, SOCIAL, AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING DIRECTED TOWARD GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AGING PROCESS AND THE DISEASES, SPECIAL PROBLEMS, AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE AS THEY AGE. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING HAS ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS TO PURSUE THESE GOALS. THE DIVISION OF AGING BIOLOGY EMPHASIZES UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF AGING. THE DIVISION OF GERIATRICS AND CLINICAL GERONTOLOGY SUPPORTS RESEARCH TO IMPROVE THE ABILITIES OF HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS TO RESPOND TO THE DISEASES AND OTHER CLINICAL PROBLEMS OF OLDER PEOPLE. THE DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH SUPPORTS RESEARCH THAT WILL LEAD TO GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT BOTH THE PROCESS OF GROWING OLD AND THE PLACE OF OLDER PEOPLE IN SOCIETY. THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE FOSTERS RESEARCH CONCERNED WITH THE AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE RELATED SENSORY, PERCEPTUAL, AND COGNITIVE PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH AGING AND HAS A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SBIR PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.866 - Aging Research

National Institute on Aging (NIA) [HHS - NIH]

Galveston, Texas 775555302 United States

Single Zip Code

Resource Networks for Protein Polymorphisms in Alzheimers Disease and its Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-AG-21-012)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 394% from $1,569,798 to $7,757,977.