Automated Neurodegeneration Index for Lewy Body Disease in At-Risk Groups
Official title: Automated Neurodegeneration Index in At-Risk Cohorts for Lewy Body Disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11342086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new machine‑learning tool analyzes routine brain scans to identify early neurodegeneration in people at risk for Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,264 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG100181-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11342086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at elevated risk for parkinsonism or Lewy body dementia, including individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder or inflammatory bowel disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without identified risk factors or early neurodegenerative changes may not benefit from this biomarker approach.
What this research studies
This project uses a simple, routinely available 3 Tesla diffusion MRI and an automated free-water algorithm to generate a single neurodegeneration score for individuals at risk of parkinsonism and dementia. The ANDI score is designed to be scalable across two high‑risk groups: people with REM sleep behavior disorder and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers will deploy the software in these cohorts to detect early brain changes and track progression over time, aiming to create clinically useful biomarkers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could help clinicians identify at‑risk patients earlier and tailor monitoring or interventions to slow decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports that imaging markers can reflect neurodegeneration, with this project advancing automated, standardized measures.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vaillancourt, David E — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Vaillancourt, David E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Gut-immune changes in Lewy Body Diseases and early signs
A study at Stanford will explore how the gut and its immune system may be linked to Lewy Body diseases like Parkinson’s and related conditions, with findings that could point to new ways to understand and someday treat these illnesses.
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Gut-immune system links in Lewy Body Disease
Researchers are studying how the gut and immune system may influence Lewy body diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, aiming to uncover new clues that could lead to better diagnosis and treatment in the future.
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Amygdala’s role in Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s disease
A clinician-science training grant to help Dr. D. Luke Fischer study how the amygdala may drive the spread of disease in people with Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Gut immune changes in Lewy body disorders
This project looks at whether changes in gut immune signals and gut bacteria are linked to Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and people with early signs like REM sleep behavior disorder.
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Identifying molecules that interact with alpha-synuclein in Alzheimer's disease–related dementias
A study at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville will map which proteins interact with alpha-synuclein in brain tissue and human-derived cells to understand its role in dementia like Lewy body disease and Alzheimer’s-related dementias.
-
Restoring the brain's cleanup cells to help in Lewy body disease
This project looks at whether removing and then regrowing the brain's immune cells can help clear harmful protein clumps that damage people with Lewy body disease.
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.