Finding early signs of Alzheimer's in the eye
Longitudinal validation of retinal biomarkers against cerebral imaging in preclinical Alzheimer's disease
This project aims to find early signs of Alzheimer's disease by looking at changes in the eye, which could help people get diagnosed sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11080878 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking for new ways to spot Alzheimer's disease very early, even before symptoms appear. This involves studying changes in the retina, the light-sensitive part at the back of your eye, because it's connected to the brain. We will compare these eye changes with brain scans and blood tests to see if they can predict Alzheimer's progression. Our goal is to develop a simple, affordable eye scan that could help identify people at risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be individuals who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease or are in the very early stages before significant symptoms appear.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without any risk factors for the condition may not directly benefit from this early detection method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive eye test for early Alzheimer's detection, allowing for earlier interventions and better management.
How similar studies have performed: While retinal biomarkers show promise for early Alzheimer's detection, this project aims to specifically validate them against established brain imaging and blood tests.
Where this research is happening
Kingston, United States
- University of Rhode Island — Kingston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alber, Jessica — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Alber, Jessica
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.