Exploring the link between depression and Alzheimer's disease
Depression and Alzheimer's Disease: CaTAUstrophy?
This study is looking at how depression might affect brain changes related to Alzheimer's disease in older adults who are still mentally sharp, to see if depressive symptoms could signal early signs of memory problems and help find new ways to prevent dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how depression interacts with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, particularly focusing on the role of tau proteins. By studying cognitively healthy older adults, the research aims to understand how depressive symptoms may influence cognitive decline and dementia risk. The approach includes advanced imaging techniques and blood tests to track tau levels over time, providing insights into the relationship between depression and Alzheimer's. The goal is to identify early signs of cognitive decline in individuals with significant depressive symptoms, potentially leading to new prevention strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively unimpaired older adults who exhibit clinically significant depressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have depressive symptoms or those already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease in individuals experiencing depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between depression and cognitive decline, but this specific approach focusing on tau proteins is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gatchel, Jennifer Rose — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gatchel, Jennifer Rose
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 below.