Detecting early signs of Alzheimer's disease through pupil responses
Official title: Inference by interference: Task-dependent pupil responses as an early detection method for Alzheimer's disease related brainstem functional change
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10805667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your pupils react to different tasks to see if it can help spot early signs of changes in the brain that might lead to Alzheimer's disease, so we can find people at risk before they show any symptoms and help them sooner.
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 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $426,353 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG082214-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10805667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 50 and older who may be at risk for Alzheimer's disease but are currently asymptomatic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or exhibit significant cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in pupil responses can indicate early functional changes in the brainstem related to Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on the locus coeruleus, a brain region involved in attention and memory, the study aims to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's before they show symptoms. The approach involves measuring pupil reactions during specific tasks to assess the health of the norepinephrine system, which may provide insights into cognitive decline. This could lead to earlier interventions for those at risk, potentially improving outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions that may slow cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using physiological measures for early detection of Alzheimer's, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riphagen, Joost — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Riphagen, Joost
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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.