Finding other brain diseases that happen with Alzheimer's using scans and tests
Autopsy-informed integrated clinical and imaging models for prediction of non-AD co-pathologies in AD
This project uses brain scans and memory tests to help identify other brain diseases (like Lewy body disease, TDP‑43 changes, and blood‑vessel problems) in people who have Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11232320 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use datasets where the exact brain changes were confirmed at autopsy to teach computer models what imaging and cognitive patterns look like when other diseases are present alongside Alzheimer’s. They will train machine‑learning models using one timepoint of commonly available MRI and PET scans plus clinical and cognitive test results from hundreds of patients. The models will be tested and refined using data from UCSF and collaborating centers to predict three common co‑pathologies: Lewy body disease, TDP‑43 proteinopathy, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The goal is to make predictions that could be applied to living patients using routine clinical tests.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment who have recent brain imaging and cognitive testing and are willing to share their records or participate through an Alzheimer research center.
Not a fit: People without available imaging or cognitive data, or whose symptoms are due to non‑Alzheimer causes, may not get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, doctors could better detect additional brain diseases in people with Alzheimer’s, enabling more personalized care and clearer patient selection for clinical trials.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have hinted that imaging and clinical patterns relate to co‑pathologies, but using large autopsy‑confirmed datasets with machine learning to predict these specific co‑pathologies is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- Northern California Institute/res/edu — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tosun-Turgut, Duygu — Northern California Institute/res/edu
- Study coordinator: Tosun-Turgut, Duygu
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.