How spinal fluid clears waste in mild memory problems and Alzheimer's
Official title: Intrinsic CSF outflow metrics for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11285184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cerebrospinal fluid moves and clears waste in people with mild cognitive problems and Alzheimer's disease to find noninvasive signs of impaired clearance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,357 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG087407-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease—often older adults (commonly 65 and up)—are the most likely candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
People without memory problems or those with neurological conditions unrelated to Alzheimer's may not gain direct benefits from this specific research.
What this research studies
You would get brain imaging that measures how your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows and removes proteins linked to dementia. The team aims to develop intrinsic, noninvasive CSF outflow measures so they do not need injected contrast agents. They will compare these measures in people with normal memory, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's to see patterns linked to symptoms, sleep, or activity. The goal is to track whether reduced CSF clearance relates to worse memory or buildup of Alzheimer's proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide new noninvasive biomarkers to identify impaired brain waste clearance and help guide treatments or trials for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies have shown sleep and exercise can boost glymphatic clearance, and human work has used injected contrast but noninvasive intrinsic CSF metrics in people remain relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miyazaki, Mitsue — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Miyazaki, Mitsue
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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.