Finding Early Alzheimer's Disease Changes with Tau PET/CT Scans
Official title: Tau PET/CT for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11109625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses special brain scans to find early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people who may be just starting to show changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,583 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073282-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109625 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project uses existing data from individuals who have already undergone tau PET scans and cognitive testing, particularly those with early signs of Alzheimer's disease pathology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have early signs of Alzheimer's disease or who have not had tau PET scans would not directly benefit from this specific data analysis.
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease involves abnormal proteins called tau that build up in the brain. This project uses advanced PET/CT scans to look for these tau protein changes, especially in their very early stages. Researchers will use a large existing database of participants who have already had these scans to understand how tau levels relate to the earliest signs of the disease. The goal is to develop better ways to detect these changes and link them to memory and thinking abilities. This could help identify Alzheimer's sooner and guide future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of Alzheimer's disease, potentially allowing for earlier interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggests that tau PET scans can distinguish between certain stages of Alzheimer's pathology, but this project aims to refine detection for even earlier stages using novel methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowe, Val John — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lowe, Val John
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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.