Blood test using tiny particles (extracellular vesicles) to find Alzheimer's early
Official title: A Diagnostic Platform for Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Biomarkers - Towards Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ · NIH-11321687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing a blood test that looks for tiny particles called extracellular vesicles to find Alzheimer's early in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greensboro, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $140,738 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149496-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for Alzheimer's—such as older people, those with mild memory concerns, or people with a family history—who can provide blood samples would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced Alzheimer's, those whose cognitive problems are caused by other diagnoses, or anyone unable to give blood are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers are working to create a non-invasive blood-based platform that detects Alzheimer's-related molecules carried inside tiny particles called extracellular vesicles. The team will apply highly sensitive detection methods to pick up very low amounts of these signals in blood that standard lab tests miss. This approach aims to avoid spinal taps and expensive brain scans by enabling a simpler screening option. If the platform works, it could help identify preclinical Alzheimer's before major symptoms appear.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier, easier screening for Alzheimer's using a simple blood sample so treatments or lifestyle steps can start sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Some early studies suggest extracellular vesicles can carry Alzheimer's signals and existing CSF and PET biomarkers work well but are invasive or costly, so EV-based blood tests are promising but not yet proven in routine care.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
Greensboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dellinger, Kristen — North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
- Study coordinator: Dellinger, Kristen
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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.