Identifying Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and related conditions are rare brain diseases that affect movement, thinking, and behaviour. These disorders are caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, but there are currently no treatments that can stop or slow their progression. That’s why it’s so important to find specific biological markers that can help us better understand these diseases, diagnose them earlier, and monitor their progression. This research project focuses on identifying biomarkers in PSP using cutting-edge techniques, including brain imaging (PET and MRI) and analysis of proteins found in blood and spinal fluid. We are especially interested in markers related to inflammation and tau protein accumulation, which are believed to play a major role in PSP. New imaging tools, such as PI2620 tau-PET, allow us to directly observe how tau spreads in the brain. Students will help analyse imaging and fluid biomarker data using established neuroscience tools and coding scripts. This project is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience, and could open the door to future research at the Honours, Master’s, or PhD level.