Understanding a Potential Key Accelerator of Alzheimer’s Disease

A potential major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the aggregate known as tau. A new research project, which launched in January 2026, aims to unlock the complex relationship between tau and the mitochondrial protein CHCHD10, which may accelerate the progression of this devastating disease.

The investigation is led by Principal Investigator Tian Liu, PhD, a CADRC REC alumnus and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine. Supported by a significant two-year grant from the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA), Dr. Liu is leveraging his expertise in neurodegeneration and mitochondrial dysfunction to conduct this work, which is slated to run through December 2027.

The central hypothesis of this work is that dysregulation of CHCHD10 directly impacts tau pathology, potentially acting as an accelerator of the key pathological aggregates that drive Alzheimer’s disease. This vital investigation is conducted under the umbrella of research supported by the Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (CADRC), advancing the quest for effective AD diagnostics and treatments.

Dr. Tian Liu