Principal Investigator
Toshiyuki Hirabayashi
Principal Researcher, Advanced Neuroimaging Center, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
Recently, highly sensitive PET probes have been developed for detecting pathological protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases, enabling localization of such aggregates in individual patients. However, this has clarified that the relationships between the affected brain regions and the resultant symptoms are not necessarily straightforward. In this study, we conduct network mapping based on the tau-PET data obtained from patients with tauopathies to identify core circuits responsible for specific symptoms. In addition, we conduct genetic circuit manipulations on homologous regions of tau-affected brain areas and the derived core circuits in non-human primates to verify the remote dysfunction of core circuits and behavioral changes, respectively. Through this translational approach, we aim to causally elucidate the relationships among the tau pathology, core circuit dysfunction, and the symptom manifestation. Based on this, we finally assess the possibility of neuromodulation therapy targeting the derived core circuits in patient groups.
Co-Investigator
Hironobu Endo
Senior Researcher, Advanced Neuroimaging Center, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
Shinichiro Nakajima
University Lecturer, Keio University School of Medicine