Blood–brain barrier and tiny brain changes linked to side effects and outcomes of anti‑amyloid treatment for Alzheimer’s
Official title: Blood-brain barrier and microstructural brain biomarkers of ARIA and treatment outcomes with anti-amyloid immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11248850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look at blood–brain barrier health and small brain changes to help predict side effects and treatment outcomes for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $788,945 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG091503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer’s disease who are considering or receiving anti‑amyloid immunotherapy, especially those who know their APOE status.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s, those not planning to receive anti‑amyloid treatments, or those unable to travel to the research site are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
You would have brain scans and blood tests before and after anti‑amyloid treatment so researchers can track signs of blood–brain barrier leakiness, tiny tissue changes, and any imaging side effects called ARIA. Imaging will include detailed structural and microstructural MRI measures, and researchers will combine those with clinical information and genetic risk (like APOE4). The team aims to separate harmless fluid or inflammation changes from true nerve‑cell loss that could signal accelerated decline. Results will be used to develop markers that might guide safer, more personalized use of these therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors identify people at higher risk for dangerous side effects and tailor anti‑amyloid treatment to reduce harm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous anti‑amyloid trials documented ARIA and an increased risk with APOE4, but using blood‑brain barrier permeability and microstructural MRI as predictive biomarkers is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reas, Emilie T. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Reas, Emilie T.
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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.