DIAN-TU Primary Prevention Trial for dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease
Official title: DIAN-TU Primary Prevention Trial
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11579111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-country trial aims to prevent cognitive decline in people who are genetically destined to develop a form of Alzheimer's disease, by testing a treatment 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) | $30,407 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG059798-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579111 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a known dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease mutation, who are 11–25 years away from estimated symptom onset and have minimal to no brain amyloid plaque at entry.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a DIAD mutation or those with extensive amyloid burden at entry may be less likely to benefit from this prevention strategy.
What this research studies
This trial platform was built to design and run interventional therapies for dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease and is now conducting a primary prevention study with participants who are 11 to 25 years from expected symptom onset. It is a phase II/III, multi-stage, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study that will test remternetug in 160 asymptomatic carriers. The goal is to see if early treatment can slow or prevent dementia before brain amyloid accumulates. The study leverages an established, global DIAN-TU platform across 16 countries and 40 sites to support trials in DIAD. Participants will be followed to assess cognitive outcomes and biomarkers over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could delay or prevent dementia in people with dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease and inform prevention strategies for broader Alzheimer’s populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies targeting amyloid reduction have shown cognitive benefits in some contexts, supporting the rationale for a prevention-focused approach in DIAD, though this specific prevention platform is novel.
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.