Apraxia in Alzheimer’s disease: Plastic reorganization of praxis networks in response to chronically progressive dysfunction (C04)

• Subject Area: Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431549029

C04 studies the molecular and functional mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration-induced apraxia and its counteracting reserve mechanisms based on the hypothesis that apraxic deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with the location and extent of tau-pathology in praxis-related cortical networks. Characterizing apraxia in AD at the behavioural (neuropsychological profiling, including the Cologne apraxia screening, KAS), molecular (Tau-PET imaging), and functional (resting-state fMRI) levels will provide fundamental insights into higher motor functions and may identify specific factors contributing to resilience against apraxia.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1451: Key mechanisms of motor control in health and disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Alexander Drzezga; Professor Dr. Peter Weiss-Blankenhorn