Brain cell–derived EV markers to differentiate Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Official title: Development of CNS cell-derived EV markers for the early and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases
Funded at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11445678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team is testing brain-cell–specific tiny particles in blood to tell apart Alzheimer’s disease and similar dementias using advanced machine-learning analysis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,043 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146602-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults suspected of having Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who could provide blood samples for biomarker analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurodegenerative symptoms or with non-neurodegenerative conditions may not benefit from this biomarker approach.
What this research studies
This project looks at tiny, brain-derived extracellular vesicles in blood to find markers that can distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from related dementias like Lewy body dementia and PSP. The team has already identified ATP1A3 as a neuron-specific EV marker and found additional disease-related proteins that could be measured with existing proteomic platforms. They plan to combine immunoprecipitation of brain-derived EVs with high-throughput assays and machine learning to improve diagnostic accuracy. The work includes studying glial EV markers as the disease progresses to enhance differentiation between conditions. The goal is a minimally invasive blood test that helps clinicians diagnose ADRD more precisely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from earlier and more accurate diagnosis, enabling timely treatment decisions and better planning.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show promising accuracy (AUC 0.86–1.00) in differentiating AD/ADRD using brain-derived EV markers.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ikezu, Tsuneya — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Ikezu, Tsuneya
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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.