Alzheimer’s-related markers after COVID-19
Official title: Alzheimer’s Disease Related Biomarkers following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11302669 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will measure Alzheimer’s-related blood and brain markers in people aged 60 and older who had COVID-19 and are experiencing new memory or thinking problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,389,203 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG077422-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11302669 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 60 or older who had COVID-19 and now report new or measurable memory or thinking problems, especially within six months of their illness.
✕Less likely to help
People under 60, individuals without prior COVID-19 infection, or people whose cognitive symptoms are clearly due to other diagnosed conditions may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
You would join one of three groups of people aged 60 and older, including those who had SARS-CoV-2 infection and developed new cognitive symptoms within six months. Researchers will collect blood to measure Alzheimer’s-linked proteins (such as total tau, p-tau-181, NfL, GFAP), perform brain imaging, and give cognitive tests. The team will compare these measures across groups and follow participants over time to see whether the markers predict worsening memory or progression to dementia. The study builds on earlier findings of elevated neurodegeneration markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with new brain dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk of Alzheimer’s after COVID so they can receive earlier monitoring or interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies, including the investigators’ own work in hospitalized patients, have found raised Alzheimer’s-related blood markers after COVID-19, but it is still unclear if these changes lead to long-term Alzheimer’s disease.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wisniewski, Thomas M — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wisniewski, Thomas M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
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How COVID-19 and genetics influence memory and dementia risk in older adults
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How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
This project will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
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SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.