In 2014, the Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders launched the inaugural Investigator Grant Program for the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC), as part of the state-funded Darrell K Royal Texas Alzheimer’s Initiative. This grant program provided financial support to Texas researchers to promote novel research and discovery towards understanding biological mechanisms, improving diagnosis, and developing therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
Since 2007 a four (4) member External Advisory Committee comprised of out-of-state distinguished, nationally prominent research scientists and medical doctors, led by Dr. Ron Petersen at Mayo Clinic, have regularly met with Steering Committee and Council representatives to conduct a detailed review of all TARCC scientific activities and grant awards to assure that the investments made by the Texas Legislature are advancing the best science of AD research.
In 2018, with a mature database of 3,670 cases accumulated by TARCC investigators across the state, the Council approved a transition from a cohort surveillance model to a grants-based program. The TARCC Investigator Grants Program aims to support the best science in the state while enhancing TARCC cohort data utilization and scientific productivity.
2023 Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Pathological characterization and seeding activity of Aß aggregates in eyes
The role of G4 helicase DHX36 in neuronal and astrocytic senescence
Investigating the selective vulnerability of the brainstem in ADRD
Cerebrovascular Dysfunction & Rejuvenation in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis
Continuation of the Neuropsychology Fellowship Program at UT Dell Medical School
2023 Junior Investigator Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Developing therapeutic inhibitor peptides for Alzheimer and related diseases
Biological validation of MBI as part of the ADRD spectrum
Cellular senescence as a sex-specific driver of amyloid pathology
Role of Innate lymphoid Cells in Alzheimer's Pathology
Harnessing DNA methylation patterns in TARCC cohort to reveal novel biomarkers
Enhancing Healthcare-Embedded Support for Care Partners of Adults with Alzheimer
VDAC1 and mitophagy regulation in Alzheimer's Disease
Impact of FDA approval of brexpiprazole for agitation in Alzheimer's disease
An Alzheimer’s Clinical Spectrum Proteome Associated with A History of Mild TBI
2023 Investigator Initiated Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Impact of pro inflammatory cell expansion on behavioral dysfunction during aging
Unraveling the Influence of Delirium in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis
Sex specific function of ACSL4 in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
New communication axis from the brain to the peripheral immune system during AD
Dysfunctional Microglia-Neuron Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease
2023 Collaborative Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
COVID-19 and elevated plasma Reelin are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease
Refining iADL Assessments for the Modern ADRD Clinical and Research Environment
2021 Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Continuation of TARCC Neuropsychology Fellowship Program
TARCC Neuropsychology of Dementia Postdoctoral Fellowship
2021 Junior Investigator Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Digital spatial profiling of hippocampal subregions in tauopathies
Spatial proteomic analyses of neuropathologic changes in TARCC participants
Modulating brain circuitry to treat word retrieval deficits in amnestic MCI
Cerebrovascular senescence in vascular dementia
Determine how chaperones regulate TDP-43 liquid-liquid phase separation
2021 Investigator Initiated Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Digital spatial profiling of hippocampal subregions in tauopathies
Biogenesis of tRNA-derived RNA Fragments in Alzheimer's Disease:Novel Biomarkers
Precision Recruitment for Precision Medicine
Targeting Microglia for Alzheimer's Disease
Effect of COVID-19 in AD, PD and associated protein misfolding
Closed-Loop Brain Stimulation as a Potential Intervention for Cognitive Decline
2020 Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
The role of a lipid metabolism pathway in regulating APP levels and processing
2020 Junior Investigator Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Characterization of a New Risk Cell Type in Alzheimer's Disease
Utility of Neuropsychological Methods to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Sexual Dimorphism in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and Vascular Dementia: Investigating the Role of Fibrinolytic System
Investigation of Retinal Vascular Changes in Tauopathy
A Novel MRI Biomarker for Brain Tau Deposition
2020 Investigator Initiated Research Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Longitudinal Continuation of TARCC Hispanic Cohort (Neurological, Neuropsychological, Cerebrospinal, MRI Morphometrics, and Resting-state fMRI Measures)
Texas Statewide Brain Bank Initiative
Problem solving training (PST) for English- and Spanish-speaking care partners of adults with Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's-related dementia
Characterization of Microbial Composition in Alzheimer's Disease
Gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease using virally delivered A-beta variants
Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease in Aging-relevant Human Neurons
Home-based tDCS for apathy in Alzheimer's Disease
Characterization of White Matter Pathology In Tauopathies Using Machine Learning
Detection of Misfolded Tau Oligometers in Biological Fluid for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Disease Monitoring
Longitudinal Mitochondrial DNA and microRNA Profiling of Neuron-enriched Exosomes Associated with Cognitive Decline in Mexican Americans
2019 Fellowship Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Training Fellowship in Aging and AD Research and Care
Neuropsychology Fellowship Program
Neuropsychology of Dementia Fellowship
2018 Investigator Initiated Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Longitudinal Continuation of TARCC Hispanic Cohort (Collaborative Multi-Site Award)
Assessing the utility and effectiveness of monitoring technology for reducing caregiver burden for Alzheimer’s Disease (Collaborative Multi-Site Award)
Epigenetic risk factors for age at onset of Alzheimer’s & MCI and metabolic dysfunction among non-Caribbean Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites
Probing the role of glial endocytic genes and ROS on AB42-induced neurotoxicity
Blood biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease & disease progression: Phospholipids
Multi target combinatory therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Diastolic dysfunction and the development of dementia
2018 Junior Investigator Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Establishing novel blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium
Immune profile investigations of Alzheimer’s Disease
Stem cell-derived anti-inflammatory treatment for Alzheimer’s disease
Tau seeding and strain identification across the spectrum of Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body pathology
Development of a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis
Brain targeted RNAi therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
2014 Pilot Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Neuroprotection of nonfeminizing estrogens against cognitive deficits of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Computational tools for molecular proteotyping: A unique approach to Alzheimer’s disease biomarker discovery.
Does HSF1 over-expression enhance the proteostasis of TDP-43?
Identification of Aß-ABAD Interaction Inhibitors for Evaluation as Small Molecule.
Effect of Youthful Systemic Milieu on Alzheimer’s Disease Patholog
2014 Established Investigator Grants
Recipient
Grant Title
Intermittent Hypoxia – novel intervention for treatment of mild cognitive impairment.
A cross-species genetic screen to identify targets that regulate the steady state levels of tau.