Projects
Study of the molecular mechanisms in Tau propagation KU Leuven
Tauopathies are a form of neurodegenerative disorders, that include Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), characterized by the deposition of hyperphosphorylated Tau aggregates under the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)(Goedert et al. 1988; Kosik et al 1986). Under normal conditions, Tau is a highly soluble cytoplasmic protein expressed predominantly in neurons, responsible for binding and stabilizing ...
Synaptic density, tau and multiparametric PET-MR for quantitative functional assessment and prognosis in stroke and mild cognitive impairment KU Leuven
There are no reliable biomarkers to predict recovery, assess prognosis or objectively monitor interventions in stroke and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease. Two major, related pathological hallmarks common to these disorders are a decrease in synaptic connectivity, which may involve various neurotransmitters, and an accumulation of tau protein deposits. These are associated with disturbances in white matter ...
Synaptic density, tau deposition and multi-parametric PET-MR after traumatic brain injury: implications for diagnosis, prognosis and development of chronic neurodegeneration. KU Leuven
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a heterogeneous condition, originating from external force impact, consisting of a broad spectrum of functional disorders with highly variable outcome. TBI incidence is rising and it forms a prominent cause of mortality and morbidity, leading to great personal suffering and high healthcare costs. Furthermore, epidemiological and postmortem studies showed that episodic and repetitive TBI can lead to a specific ...
Single-molecule structural investigations of tau protein Hasselt University
Unraveling molecular pathways underlying synergistic cellular toxicity of Aß peptides and protein Tau, the two key players involved in Alzheimer’s disease. KU Leuven
Alzheimers’s Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Today, more than 35 million people are suffering from dementia such as AD, a number that has been estimated to double every 20 years. Brains from AD patients have two major hallmarks. They contain intracellular deposits of hyperphosphorylated protein Tau, known as neurofibrillary tangles as well as extracellular deposits of Aß peptides, known as amyloid plaques. Despite ...
Tau and synaptic density in mild cognitive impairment and traumatic brain injury KU Leuven
Abnormal protein deposition and brain trauma can both lead to hyperphosphorylation and accumulation of tau protein in the brain. In this project, it is hypothesized that sequentially measuring tau protein in combination with the effect on synaptic density, determines further changes such as anatomic and cognitive changes. Both tau deposition and synaptic density can be determined using PET scans (18F-MK6240 en 11C-UCB-J, respectively). Also, ...
Synaptic density, tau and multiparametric PET-MR for quantitative functional assessment and prognosis in acute and repetitive brain trauma, stroke and mild cognitive impairment KU Leuven
What is the effect of tau aggregation on synaptic function? KU Leuven
Cognitive brain circuits and the spread of tau in vivo in humans KU Leuven
Alzheimer disease (AD) is pathologically defined by selective neuronal loss and decrease in synaptic density, the accumulation of fibrillar β amyloid plaques and intra- and extraneuronal deposition of phosphorylated tau as neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads and dystrophic neurites [6]. Dementia has been recognized as a global health care problem associated with significant economic and social burden. It is therefore important to get a ...