Association between TDP-43 protein Modifications and cognitive and neuropsychiatric changes

• Grant number: 24/21326-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Claudia Kimie Suemoto
• Grantee: Caroline Matos Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Population aging is a global phenomenon, and it is estimated that by 2050, the population aged 65 and older will exceed 1.6 billion people. This increase in the elderly population has been accompanied by a rise in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly dementia.The TDP-43 protein plays a fundamental role in cellular physiology, but its dysfunction is strongly associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The clinical manifestations of TDP-43 proteinopathy include cognitive deficits, motor impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.Our study aims to investigate the presence and distribution of TDP-43 protein aggregates in human brains, evaluating their impact on cognitive function and neuropsychiatric manifestations in individuals aged 18 years and older. To achieve this, we will use samples from the Biobank for Aging Studies, seeking to correlate the presence and severity of TDP-43 proteinopathy with the occurrence and intensity of psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. (AU)