Investigating a new blood biomarker for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Plasma brain-derived tau: a novel Alzheimer’s disease-type neurodegeneration biomarker with potential to complete the AT(N) scheme in blood
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11086130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new blood test called brain-derived tau (BD-tau) to see if it can help doctors better diagnose Alzheimer's disease and track how it affects people over time, especially across different backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,483,998 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083874-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those experiencing cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or neurological conditions unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and validating a novel biomarker called brain-derived tau (BD-tau) that can be measured in blood to improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study will analyze data from diverse patient cohorts to compare BD-tau with existing biomarkers, such as neurofilament light (NfL) and total-tau (t-tau), to determine its effectiveness in diagnosing AD and tracking cognitive decline. By leveraging existing clinical and post-mortem evaluations, the research aims to enhance the accuracy of AD diagnosis and understand its implications across different racial and ethnic groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible blood tests for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using blood biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, but the specific approach of using BD-tau is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karikari, Thomas K — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Karikari, Thomas K
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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.