How the aging brain clears the Alzheimer's protein beta‑amyloid
Imaging Beta-Amyloid Clearance Mechanisms in the Aging Brain
This project uses brain scans and fluid‑flow imaging in older adults without dementia to learn how the brain clears the Alzheimer's protein beta‑amyloid.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11399020 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited from ongoing aging studies if you are a non‑demented older adult with known amyloid levels from prior PET scans. Researchers will use PET (for amyloid), imaging to measure P‑glycoprotein (P‑gp) function at the blood‑brain barrier, and MRI methods to track cerebrospinal and interstitial fluid flow. They will compare these measures to see whether reduced pump function or slower fluid flow relates to early amyloid buildup. The focus is on people before dementia and leverages longitudinal imaging already underway at the University of Pittsburgh.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are non‑demented older adults willing to travel to Pittsburgh for imaging, especially those with prior or available amyloid PET scans.
Not a fit: People with established Alzheimer's dementia or those unable to undergo PET/MRI or travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal early clearance problems and point to ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer's before dementia develops.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human and animal studies have linked lower P‑gp function and reduced CSF/ISF flow to amyloid buildup, but combining these measures in early, non‑demented people using longitudinal imaging is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laymon, Charles — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Laymon, Charles
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.