Comparing blood tests that detect Alzheimer's using different phosphorylated tau markers
Head-to-head comparisons of high-performance plasma phospho-tau epitopes for the detection of Alzheimer's disease
This project compares three blood tests that measure different phosphorylated forms of tau to find which best detects Alzheimer's in people with memory or thinking concerns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311330 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give a blood sample so researchers can measure three specific phosphorylated tau markers (p‑tau231, p‑tau181, and p‑tau217) in the same people. The team will compare these results across people with normal cognition, mild cognitive problems, and Alzheimer's dementia and relate the blood measures to known brain markers of disease. They will test whether a single marker or a combination gives the clearest signal and whether performance changes at different disease stages. Results are intended to help simplify diagnosis and make it easier to identify people for clinical care or trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with memory or thinking complaints, those with suspected or diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, and older adults across the cognitive spectrum would be the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without cognitive symptoms or those whose problems are caused by non‑Alzheimer conditions may not benefit, and participation does not provide a treatment or guaranteed personal health benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make Alzheimer’s detection faster and less invasive by using a simple blood test to rule in or rule out disease and help guide care or trial enrollment.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies have shown promising accuracy for individual plasma p‑tau tests, but direct head‑to‑head comparisons of p‑tau231, p‑tau181, and p‑tau217 in the same people are limited.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pascoal, Tharick — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Pascoal, Tharick
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 below.