Investigating a new biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

Evaluation of Monoamine Oxidase-A as a New Biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10525579

This study is looking at a brain chemical called MAO-A to see if it can help us understand Alzheimer's disease better, and if you have Alzheimer's, you might get to participate in a safe imaging test to see how this chemical behaves in your brain compared to those without the disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10525579 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on evaluating Monoamine Oxidase-A (MAO-A) as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study employs advanced imaging techniques and radiotracers to assess MAO-A levels in the brains of individuals with AD compared to healthy controls. By understanding the role of MAO-A in neurodegeneration, the research aims to provide insights into the disease's progression and potential treatment targets. Patients may undergo noninvasive imaging to help identify changes in MAO-A activity associated with Alzheimer's.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those at risk for developing it.

Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia or neurological disorders unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on MAO-A in other conditions, this specific approach in Alzheimer's disease is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.