Blood test looking at small RNA fragments to detect and track Alzheimer's
Official title: tRNA-derived RNA Fragments (tRF) as Prognostic and Diagnostic Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11505138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will check whether specific small RNA fragments in blood can help detect and track Alzheimer's disease in people with memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $783,306 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AG075725-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11505138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, people with mild cognitive impairment, individuals with other neurodegenerative dementias, and healthy older adults willing to provide blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
People whose memory problems are caused by non-neurological issues or who cannot give blood are unlikely to benefit directly from this biomarker study.
What this research studies
Researchers will measure tiny RNA pieces called tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) in blood samples from people with Alzheimer's, people with other dementias, those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy older adults. In an initial discovery phase they will compare tRF patterns across these groups to find which tRFs best separate Alzheimer's from other conditions. In the follow-on phase they will test a new lab assay to see if those tRF signatures can distinguish early MCI from Alzheimer's and whether levels track disease severity over time. The team combines broad discovery methods with a precise quantification technique to build and validate a blood-based biomarker signature.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test that helps detect Alzheimer's earlier and track disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown tRF changes in Alzheimer's brain tissue and some supporting signals in early serum samples, but using tRFs as a validated blood diagnostic or staging tool is still novel and unconfirmed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bao, Xiaoyong — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Bao, Xiaoyong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.