DIAN-TU: A Preventive Trial for Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: DIAN-TU Primary Prevention Trial
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11579122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A trial tests a preventive treatment to help people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,964 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG059798-06S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease mutations who are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic and far from expected onset.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without the specific genetic risk or those who already show significant cognitive impairment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study uses a multi-site international platform to test a preventive therapy in people who carry genetic mutations that almost guarantee Alzheimer’s onset. Participants are asymptomatic but are 11 to 25 years from when symptoms would typically begin, and they will be randomly assigned to the treatment or placebo in a blinded design. The trial focuses on removing amyloid plaques early to potentially delay or prevent cognitive decline. It aims to provide pivotal evidence that an intervention can modify the disease trajectory in a high-risk population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could delay or prevent dementia in people at high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies with anti-amyloid therapies have shown cognitive benefits when amyloid is removed, supporting further testing in a preventive setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdade, Eric Martin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mcdade, Eric Martin
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.