Finding early Alzheimer’s brain changes with brainwave and molecular imaging
Electrophysiological and molecular imaging of early AD progression
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11327381
This project uses brainwave recordings and molecular brain scans to spot early Alzheimer’s-related changes in people who have positive amyloid but aren’t yet demented.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11327381 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We will use magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brainwave patterns alongside molecular imaging (PET/MRI) to look for early signs of neuronal dysfunction. The team will follow people who are Aβ-positive but have no or only mild cognitive symptoms with repeated scans and clinical tests over time. Researchers will analyze neural oscillations and molecular markers to identify patterns of abnormal neuronal firing and hyperexcitability. These measures aim to reveal the earliest circuit changes that could guide early treatment or prevention trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who are amyloid (Aβ)-positive and currently have no or only mild cognitive symptoms who can travel to UCSF for repeated imaging and follow-up are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, those without amyloid pathology, or those unable to undergo MEG/PET/MRI scans are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of Alzheimer’s-related brain dysfunction and help identify people who might benefit from early interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Animal models and early human studies have shown abnormal neuronal firing and promising MEG/PET signals in preclinical Alzheimer’s, but long-term multimodal human studies of this kind are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RANASINGHE, KAMALINI GAYATHREE — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: RANASINGHE, KAMALINI GAYATHREE
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia