Identifying early signs of Alzheimer's disease using language skills
Preclinical markers of Alzheimer's disease using psycholinguistic semantic measures
This study is looking for early signs of Alzheimer's disease by analyzing how people talk about animals, helping to spot those who might be at risk even before they notice any memory problems, so we can help them sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10848230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on detecting early signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) before clinical symptoms appear, which is crucial for timely intervention. It aims to develop low-cost and accessible cognitive markers by analyzing language use, specifically through a task where participants name as many animals as possible in one minute. By examining the patterns and connections of the words used, researchers hope to identify individuals who may have the neuropathology of AD but are not yet showing memory impairment. This approach seeks to provide a more sensitive method for early detection in diverse older adult populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those who may be at risk for Alzheimer's disease but do not yet exhibit clinical symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those with significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions that may improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using cognitive and language-based assessments for early detection of Alzheimer's disease, indicating that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vonk, Jet M.j. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Vonk, Jet M.j.
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.