Dopamine Signaling Controls Pathological Tau

A number of neurodegenerative disorders feature tau deposits, including Alzheimer’s disease. These abnormal aggregations of tau protein can cause age-dependent neurodegeneration. We have identified a class of drugs that prevent abnormal tau formation in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of this project is to understand how these experimental drugs prevent abnormal tau so that we can develop these drugs further, ultimately setting the stage for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s patients.

A number of neurodegenerative disorders have tau deposits including Alzheimer’s disease.  Abnormal tau protein can cause age dependent neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. We have identified a class of drugs that prevent abnormal tau formation in animal models of disease. The goal of this project is to understand how these drugs prevent abnormal tau so we can develop these drugs further ultimately setting the stage for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s patients.