Identifying the Mechanisms That Underlie Tau Aggregation and Neurotoxicity

Project Summary

Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia feature the accumulation of misfolded, aggregated tau protein in neurons that are lost early in the course of these diseases. The mechanisms that underlie tau misfolding and accumulation, and its associated neurotoxicity, are not known. This project employs whole-genome screening techniques to identify the cellular pathways that regulate tau aggregation and toxicity in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. This work will provide critical insight into tau-associated disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia.