# Neuropathology Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $177,127

## Abstract

Neuropathology Core: Abstract
Nearly all neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by progressive accumulations of pathological
deposits of disease protein aggregates within cells, blood vessels or in the neuropil. These deposits are the
signature CNS lesions that define these disorders as exemplified by the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary
tangles required for the postmortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders (ADRD).
However, Lewy bodies (LBs) and/or TDP-43 inclusions occur in ~70% of AD patients, as are other
neuropathologies including aging related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG), hippocampal sclerosis, and
cerebrovascular disease. Other non-AD dementing illnesses are associated with a diverse spectrum of
neuropathologic diagnoses including various α-synucleinopathies and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. A
major focus of this NP Core is to define the full spectrum of co-morbid protein aggregate pathologies in the
aging brain. A comprehensive post-mortem brain examination of individuals followed longitudinally in the
Clinical Core provides definitive classification of the underlying neuropathology using standardized criteria in
addition to the exhaustive documentation of co-morbid neurodegenerative disease pathologies in each case
irrespective of clinical phenotype. Fixed and frozen tissues are banked and distributed to investigators to
further both clinicopathologic and basic research studies on AD/ADRD. Neuropathology data is obtained in all
cases which is transmitted to the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center in collaboration with the DMS Core.
The NP Core also coordinates with the Neuroimaging Core to facilitate high resolution post-mortem MRI and to
establish a digital histopathology library. The NP Core also provides advice and support to investigators
including trainees supported by the Research Education Component to foster safe and informative human
biosamples research. Thus, this NP Core is a vital component of the Penn ADRC in defining the complexity
and breadth of neuropathologic change in ADRC subjects in support of its mission to increase research and
education on AD/ADRD across the continuum from normal aging to dementia with the goal of identifying the
causes of and cures for AD/ADRD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10870023
- **Project number:** 5P30AG072979-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Edward Byung-Ha Lee
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $177,127
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10870023

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10870023, Neuropathology Core (5P30AG072979-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10870023. Licensed CC0.

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