Alzheimer's brain imaging and biomarker program

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI4)

NIH-funded research Northern California Institute/res/edu · NIH-11386134

This program uses brain scans, blood and spinal fluid samples to improve how Alzheimer's is detected and tracked for people at risk or with early memory problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11386134 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, they'll collect MRI and PET scans, blood and CSF samples, genetic data, and cognitive testing over time so changes linked to Alzheimer's can be tracked. They focus on validating new blood (plasma) biomarkers and linking imaging and fluid markers to future memory decline. ADNI4 will follow about 500 participants rolling over from ADNI3 and will work to recruit more people from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The data and samples are kept in shared repositories so researchers worldwide can use them to design better clinical trials and tests.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Older adults at risk for Alzheimer's, people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's symptoms, and those willing to undergo scans and give blood or CSF samples, with priority for underrepresented groups.

Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, those unwilling to undergo imaging or provide biological samples, or those unable to attend participating sites are unlikely to see direct benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could lead to more reliable tests that detect Alzheimer's earlier and to more representative trial designs that work for diverse groups of patients.

How similar studies have performed: Earlier ADNI phases have produced thousands of publications, informed major clinical trials (including aducanumab), and established many widely used Alzheimer's biomarkers.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer disease prevention
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.