Detecting auto-antibodies related to beta-amyloid in blood for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Epitope alteration for detecting auto-antibodies of beta-amyloid in serum
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10740080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy, and affordable blood test to help doctors spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease by looking for specific antibodies related to a protein called beta-amyloid, making it simpler for patients to get diagnosed and treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $458,585 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG080222-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10740080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals showing early signs of cognitive decline or those at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without any cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to detect auto-antibodies associated with beta-amyloid, a key protein involved in Alzheimer's disease, using blood samples. The goal is to create a fast, affordable, and reliable preliminary screening tool that can be used in primary care settings, avoiding the high costs of current imaging technologies like PET scans. By analyzing the immune response to beta-amyloid, the research aims to improve early diagnosis and understanding of Alzheimer's disease. This approach could lead to better management and treatment options for patients at risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a cost-effective and accessible method for early detection of Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarker detection in biofluids for Alzheimer's diagnosis, indicating that this approach could be a viable alternative to traditional imaging methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ran, Chongzhao — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ran, Chongzhao
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.