Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $456,500 Project Grant from the National Institute on Aging under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) effective February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2028. The award supports research investigating the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in tau protein uptake within cell and mouse models relevant to Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to identify the specific heparan sulfate size and sulfation code patterns required for tau binding in neurons and microglia, determine which HSPG core proteins facilitate tau uptake, and validate findings in mouse models. The research also evaluates N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase 1 (NDST1), an enzyme involved in HSPG production, as a potential therapeutic target for blocking tau spread and disease progression.

The grant deliverables include comprehensive scientific investigation of tau uptake mechanisms through both cell-based studies and in vivo mouse model testing, with the ultimate goal of advancing understanding of how HSPG-mediated tau transmission contributes to neurodegeneration and potentially informing development of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease. This research aligns with the National Institute on Aging's mission to support biomedical research directed toward understanding aging and age-related diseases, with particular emphasis on prevention and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.