How blood tests and risk factors predict Alzheimer's differently in men and women

Sex-specific risk factors and trajectories of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

NIH-funded research Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute · NIH-11297656

This project looks at blood markers and known risk factors to predict Alzheimer's and related dementias in older men and women.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHennepin Healthcare Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11297656 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If I join, researchers will follow older adults who do not yet have dementia and take blood samples over time to measure amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration markers (AT[N]). They will also collect health, lifestyle, and genetic information such as APOE-ε4 status to see how these factors change and relate to cognitive decline. The team will compare trajectories and risk patterns separately in men and women. From these data they will build a sex-specific risk score that combines blood tests and other risk factors to improve personalized prognosis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older community-dwelling adults without a diagnosis of dementia, including those with known risk factors such as APOE-ε4.

Not a fit: People who already have a diagnosed dementia are unlikely to benefit directly from this prediction-focused research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This work could enable earlier and more personalized prediction of Alzheimer's risk and help target prevention for men and women more effectively.

How similar studies have performed: Blood-based AT(N) biomarkers have shown promising results for detecting Alzheimer's pathology, but creating validated sex-specific risk scores in large community cohorts is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.