High-resolution post-mortem brain imaging to map Alzheimer’s and related changes
Ex Vivo Imaging of the Aging Brain to Discover Morphology/Pathology Associations
Researchers will use very detailed MRI scans of donated brains to link Alzheimer’s proteins and other brain changes with areas of tissue loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11518105 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone affected by dementia, this project uses ultra-high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI on donated whole brain hemispheres to get very detailed images after death. The images will be precisely matched to microscopic tissue studies (histology) in the same spots to see where amyloid, tau, TDP‑43, alpha‑synuclein, and small vessel disease cause neuronal loss and cortical thinning. The team will analyze 100–120 autopsies from the University of Pennsylvania Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and look closely at gray matter locations and white matter lesions. The work aims to clarify how multiple pathologies combine to cause brain damage and to identify imaging features that indicate mixed disease processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who are willing to join a brain donation program so their brain can be scanned and examined after death.
Not a fit: People who are not willing to donate brain tissue, or who are seeking immediate new therapies, would not directly benefit from participating in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to imaging markers that reveal co-existing brain pathologies and help target treatments and trials more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Previous ex vivo MRI with matched histology has provided useful insights, but combining ultra-high-resolution 7T scans with detailed histology across 100–120 cases is a relatively novel and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yushkevich, Paul a. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Yushkevich, Paul a.
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.