Imaging reactive astrocyte changes across Alzheimer's stages
In vivo imaging of reactive astrogliosis along the Alzheimer's disease continuum
Researchers will use a new PET tracer plus MRI and blood tests to track reactive astrocyte activity and related brain changes in people ranging from cognitively normal to those with Alzheimer's dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11078787 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a cohort of about 300 participants who will have brain PET scans using a newly developed F-18 tracer that highlights reactive astrocytes, along with amyloid and tau PET, MRI, cognitive testing, and blood draws. The team will collect both one-time and repeat imaging over time to see how astrocyte activity relates to amyloid, tau, cerebrovascular disease, brain structure and function, and thinking abilities. The aim is to identify brain changes that come before memory symptoms and to clarify how neuroimmune responses fit into Alzheimer's progression. Visits will include imaging appointments, blood collection, and brief cognitive assessments, with some participants returning for follow-up scans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults across the Alzheimer's continuum — from cognitively unimpaired to mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's dementia — who can undergo PET and MRI scans and blood draws are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are young with no Alzheimer's risk factors, unwilling or unable to undergo PET/MRI or blood draws, or seeking an experimental treatment rather than imaging are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify early brain markers that predict cognitive decline and inform new approaches to slow or prevent Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: F-18 MAO-B tracers for reactive astrogliosis have been recently developed and validated, but few large longitudinal human studies have combined astrocyte imaging with amyloid, tau, vascular imaging, and cognition, so this is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villemagne, Victor Luis — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Villemagne, Victor Luis
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.