Microbiome in tauopathies

 
   Lead Investigator:    Irene Salinas
   Institution      :    University of New Mexico
   E-Mail           :    isalinas@unm.edu
   Proposal ID      :    1063



   Proposal Description:
   The goal of the project is to identify bacterial signatures of AD in the brain and serum/plasma using 16S metagenomic sequencing. Our hypothesis is that bacterial infections in the CNS are a co-morbidity factor in AD and other tauopathies. If the bacteria present in the serum match those found in the brain we could develop novel diagnostic tools/biomarkers for the diagnosis of tauopathies. Although the microbial component to neurodegenerative disease has been postulated for over 30 years, this area continues to be understudied in neurodegenerative diseases. If we can identify specific bacterial species that are present only in patients with cognitive impairment, we will be able to develop future therapies targeting these bacteria.