Bringing Alzheimer's blood biomarkers to a broad population
Official title: Bridging Gaps to Translate Plasma Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers to Diverse Populations
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11412687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist team is testing blood tests for Alzheimer’s-related signals in diverse adults to see how well they work in real-world settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $162,960 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AG090815-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for or affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, including diverse racial/ethnic groups and those in sub-Saharan Africa.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to blood-based biomarker testing or without relevant risk factors may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to evaluate how plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and related dementias perform across a wide range of people, including different ages, health conditions, and backgrounds. The work uses data from large cohorts in the US and Uganda to understand who might benefit from blood-based AD tests. Researchers will look at demographic, lifestyle, genetic, and health factors that affect biomarker results and will test a convenient dried blood spot approach. The study is designed to inform when and how to use plasma biomarkers in everyday clinical care and population health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could enable more accessible, affordable screening for Alzheimer’s and related dementias in diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for plasma biomarkers, but gaps remain in diverse populations and in sub-Saharan Africa; this study extends that work.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tanner, Jeremy Adam — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Tanner, Jeremy Adam
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.