Blood and MRI biomarkers for Alzheimer's and age-related memory changes
Biomarker Core
This project looks at blood tests and brain MRIs to learn more about Alzheimer's and other causes of memory decline in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092262 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give blood and some participants will have a brain MRI so researchers can measure markers linked to Alzheimer’s and aging. Blood tests include amyloid and tau proteins, markers of nerve injury (NfL, GFAP), genetic markers like APOE, routine blood chemistries, and measures of cellular cleanup (autophagy). An MRI sub-study in about 250 people will examine brain structure, microstructure, and blood-vessel related changes. The Core brings these measures together to help the larger program understand why some older adults experience faster memory decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults, with or without memory complaints, who can provide blood samples and, for a subset, undergo MRI scanning.
Not a fit: Younger people, individuals without relevance to age-related cognitive decline, or anyone unable to have an MRI would likely not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make earlier and less invasive detection of Alzheimer’s-related changes possible and help target future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Many recent studies using blood amyloid, phosphorylated tau, NfL, and MRI measures have shown promising ability to track Alzheimer’s-related changes, though wider clinical use is still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pavlovic, Jelena — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pavlovic, Jelena
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 below.