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Alzheimer's Disease Research - Current Award

Photo Pending

Erin Congdon, Ph.D.

Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene
New York, NY

Title: Tau Dissociation As A Therapeutic Approach For Tauopathy
Non-Technical Title: Untangling Tau As An Approach To Treating Tangles In AD

Mentor:
Karen Duff, Ph.D.
Columbia University

Duration: April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2011
Award Type: Research Fellowship
Award Amount: $100,000


Summary:

Aggregated tau accumulated in tangles is a major feature of the Alzheimer’s disease affected brain. These accumulations are thought to be highly toxic to neurons. Aggregated tau can be disassociated in test tubes by several compounds including cyanine dyes. We aim to test the therapeutic potential of a cyanine dye both in living systems and in living system models of disease.

Details:

Tau is a protein that forms an abnormal mass of tangles inside the brain cells of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tangled tau is thought to be highly toxic to neurons. Tangled tau in a test tube can be broken up by certain drugs. However, we do not know if any of these drugs work efficiently on real tangles in a living brain. We aim to test whether one particular compound that works in the test-tube is capable of detangling tau in a mouse model of AD. A successful outcome would pave the way for development of this compound as an anti-Alzheimer’s disease drug.