Investigating a new blood biomarker for Alzheimer's disease
Plasma brain-derived tau: a novel Alzheimer’s disease-type neurodegeneration biomarker with potential to complete the AT(N) scheme in blood
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 ID | NIH-11086130 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those experiencing cognitive decline.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia or neurological conditions unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Pittsburgh, United States
- 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
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.