Comparing blood tests for detecting Alzheimer's disease

Head-to-head comparisons of high-performance plasma phospho-tau epitopes for the detection of Alzheimer's disease

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11077194

This study is looking at how well blood tests can detect Alzheimer's disease by measuring certain proteins in the blood, which could help doctors diagnose the condition more easily and quickly.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11077194 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of blood tests that measure specific phosphorylated tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing plasma samples for p-tau231, p-tau181, and p-tau217, the study aims to determine how accurately these tests can identify Alzheimer's at various stages. The goal is to simplify the diagnostic process for Alzheimer's, potentially allowing for quicker and more reliable assessments in clinical settings. This could also aid in patient management and recruitment for clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals showing early signs of cognitive decline or those at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible blood tests for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar blood tests for Alzheimer's detection, indicating a potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer disease detectionAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.