Blood protein patterns linking physical activity to Alzheimer's and related dementias
Plasma proteomic signatures of physical activity and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Researchers will use blood protein profiles from older women to find connections between physical activity and Alzheimer's risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11470652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project analyzes blood samples and objective activity measurements from women in the Women’s Health Initiative to find protein patterns related to physical activity and dementia. Investigators will measure about 7,000 plasma proteins using the SOMAscan platform and examine Alzheimer's biomarkers from samples collected in the 1990s. They will apply and compare machine-learning methods to derive proteomic signatures tied to activity levels and to dementia outcomes like mild cognitive impairment and AD. The goal is to reveal molecular pathways that might explain how being active reduces dementia risk and to identify blood markers that could guide prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older women—especially postmenopausal women or participants in the Women’s Health Initiative—who are willing to contribute blood samples or activity data for Alzheimer's research.
Not a fit: People who are male, younger than 21, or without available blood samples or activity records (or who are not enrolled in WHI) are unlikely to be included or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify blood markers and biological pathways that explain how physical activity lowers Alzheimer's risk and point to new prevention targets.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked accelerometer-measured physical activity to lower dementia risk and early proteomic work shows promise, but applying broad proteomic panels with machine learning to this question is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Steve — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Steve
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.