Identifying specific groups of patients who may benefit from Alzheimer's treatments
Official title: Innovative precision medicine methods in subgroup identification for Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10912813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to find out which groups of people with Alzheimer's might get the most benefit from the new drug aducanumab, so that treatments can be better matched to individual needs and improve their outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG084054-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who are seeking treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or those who do not have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding specific subgroups of patients with Alzheimer's disease who may benefit from existing treatments, particularly the recently approved drug aducanumab. By using advanced statistical methods, the researchers aim to analyze data from clinical trials to identify characteristics that predict which patients respond best to treatment. This approach could help tailor therapies to individual needs, potentially improving outcomes for those with Alzheimer's. The study will utilize innovative techniques to explore treatment effects across different patient profiles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment options for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying subpopulations that respond differently to treatments, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Lei — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Lei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.