Emily Nickerson

Pathogenic mutations in the MAPT gene results in a diverse class of neurodegenerative diseases, referred to collectively as tauopathies. While the precise disease morphology does differ between subtypes, the spread and accumulation of abnormal tau throughout defined circuits is a hallmark feature. My project will focus on understanding the susceptibility of certain frontal cortical circuits to the propagation of tau, the means by which this occurs, and how other factors can alleviate or exacerbate the neurotoxicity of the mutant protein.