Principal Investigators

    Tammaryn Lashley

    Institution

    University College London

    Contact information of lead PI

    Country

    United Kingdom

    Title of project or programme

    The role of TREM2 in neurodegeneration

    Source of funding information

    Alzheimer's Research UK

    Total sum awarded (Euro)

    € 124,986

    Start date of award

    30/09/2014

    Total duration of award in years

    3

    Keywords

    Research Abstract

    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. A major known risk factor in late-onset disease is having the ApoE4 gene. Recently another genetic risk factor has been identified called TREM2 and variations in this gene cause susceptibility to late-onset AD with similar odds to the ApoE4 gene.

    The TREM2 gene encodes a receptor protein on the surface of a subset of brain cells, called microglia. These cells form an important part of the immune response within the brain. TREM2 triggers immune responses when associated with other proteins and is also involved in clearing away damaged tissue, therefore reducing the amount of inflammation. We suggest that the neurodegeneration in TREM2-associated AD is driven by a chronic inflammatory process with dysfunction in microglial cells. We propose to investigate whether carrying a TREM2 mutation alters AD brain tissue by examining the location and distribution of the TREM2 protein in brain; determine how the TREM2 mutations alter inflammatory cell function and investigate the 3D relationship between the pathological proteins found in AD and the microglial architecture. How TREM2 is involved in neurodegeneration remains elusive unravelling the mechanism will lead to a greater potential for therapeutic intervention.

    Further information available at:

Types: Investments < €500k
Member States: United Kingdom
Diseases: N/A
Years: 2016
Database Categories: N/A
Database Tags: N/A

Export as PDF