DIAN-TU: Early Prevention Trial for Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s
Official title: DIAN-TU Primary Prevention Trial
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11579134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A global, multi-site study tests whether a preventive treatment can delay or prevent cognitive decline in people genetically destined to develop dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease.
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) | $131,067 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG059798-06S6 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are asymptomatic individuals with a dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s mutation who are early in the pre-symptom stage (11 to 25 years before expected onset).
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not carrying the disease-causing mutation or those already showing significant cognitive symptoms may not benefit.
What this research studies
This trial focuses on people who are up to 25 years away from Alzheimer’s symptoms due to a known genetic mutation. It uses a multi-stage, blinded, placebo-controlled design to test an amyloid-clearing therapy, aiming to protect thinking and memory before trouble starts. The study builds on an established DIAN-TU platform that already coordinates 40 sites in 16 countries to run interventional trials. Participants will be asymptomatic carriers and will contribute to knowledge about whether early intervention can alter disease progression. Results could influence future prevention strategies for both inherited and possibly sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could delay or lessen cognitive decline for people at high genetic risk and inform prevention approaches for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: This area builds on recent amyloid-clearing approaches and follows a prior DIAN-TU platform with prior trials; the primary prevention approach is relatively novel in this exact population.
Where this research is happening
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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.