Identifying early signs of Alzheimer's disease using language skills
Administrative Supplement Preclinical markers of Alzheimer's disease using psycholinguistic semantic measures
This study is looking for easy and affordable ways to spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease by analyzing how people use language during a quick animal-naming task, helping to identify those who might be at risk even before symptoms appear.
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-11096369 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to find new, cost-effective ways to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by analyzing language use in cognitive tests. It focuses on the preclinical phase of AD, where individuals may have the disease's neuropathology but show no clinical symptoms. By examining how people name animals in a one-minute task, researchers will look for patterns in language that indicate early cognitive decline. This approach seeks to provide a more accessible method for early diagnosis, especially in diverse older adult populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who may be at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those in the preclinical stage.
Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without any cognitive concerns may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using cognitive and linguistic measures for early detection of Alzheimer's, indicating that this approach could be effective.
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.