How changes in brain circuits lead to memory and thinking problems in Alzheimer's
Official title: Computational modeling of dynamic causal brain circuits underlying cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11131097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using advanced computer models, researchers map how changes in brain circuits lead to memory and thinking problems in people with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2014 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $609,547 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS086085-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who can provide brain imaging and clinical/cognitive data.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's, those unable or unwilling to undergo brain imaging or clinical testing, and those seeking immediate treatment changes may not receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses brain scans and clinical information from people with Alzheimer's at different stages to build computer models of how brain regions interact over time. The team develops and refines a novel modeling approach called Multivariate Dynamic Systems Identification with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo to detect context-dependent causal links between brain areas. They validate these models against cognitive test results and neuropathology data to connect circuit changes with symptoms. The goal is to reveal circuit patterns that could point to better diagnosis or targets for future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal specific brain-circuit patterns tied to cognitive decline that help with earlier diagnosis or guide new treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous computational and brain-imaging studies have identified meaningful network changes in Alzheimer's, but this specific dynamic causal modeling approach is relatively new and not yet proven to change care.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Menon, Vinod — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Menon, Vinod
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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.