Creating new imaging agents to study Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Development of Novel γ-Secretase PET Agents for the Exploration of AD Pathology
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11044149 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to use special imaging tools to see a protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, which could help us understand how the disease works and find better treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $167,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG081968-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044149 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk of developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing novel PET imaging agents that can visualize and quantify the presence of γ-secretase in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. By using these agents, researchers aim to better understand the role of γ-secretase in the progression of Alzheimer's and its associated pathology. The approach involves non-invasive imaging techniques that could correlate molecular changes with cognitive deficits in patients. This could ultimately aid in the discovery of new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging agents to study Alzheimer's pathology, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Yulong — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xu, Yulong
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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.