Blood protein signals linked to Alzheimer's risk across two generations
Serum protein markers along the Alzheimer's disease trajectory in the population-based longitudinal AGES Reykjavik study and their offsprings
This project looks at protein patterns in blood that could signal early Alzheimer's in older adults and their adult children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icelandic Heart Association NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kopavogur, Iceland) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a long-term Icelandic population group where blood samples, genetic tests, brain scans, and thinking tests are collected over time. Researchers measure thousands of different proteins in the blood and compare those patterns to known Alzheimer markers like plasma amyloid and pTau-217. They also look at genes such as APOE-ε4 and changes in brain volume to see which protein signals go along with later memory decline or dementia. The goal is to find blood-based signs that show who is moving toward symptomatic Alzheimer's before clear symptoms appear.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (and their adult offspring) who can provide blood samples, have had or are willing to have brain imaging and cognitive testing, and who are part of or similar to the AGES Reykjavik cohort.
Not a fit: People with advanced symptomatic dementia or those unable to provide blood samples or travel to Iceland for visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier, less invasive detection of Alzheimer's risk and better targeting of future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have shown plasma pTau-217 and other blood markers can predict Alzheimer's risk, but using a very large proteome panel across two generations is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Kopavogur, Iceland
- Icelandic Heart Association — Kopavogur, Iceland (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gudmundsdottir, Valborg — Icelandic Heart Association
- Study coordinator: Gudmundsdottir, Valborg
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.