Investigating brain-derived exosomes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis- Cellular Exosomes in Neurodegeneration and Dementia (MESA-CEND)
This study is looking at tiny particles in the blood that come from the brain to see if they can help us spot Alzheimer's disease earlier and understand it better, and it's including people from different backgrounds to make sure the findings are helpful for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10883916 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of brain-derived exosomes in the blood as potential indicators and mediators of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to address previous limitations by including diverse racial and ethnic groups, assessing various biomarkers concurrently, and characterizing exosomes from multiple cell types in the brain's neurovascular unit. By isolating and analyzing these exosomes, the study seeks to identify new biomarkers that could improve early detection and understanding of Alzheimer's pathology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, including African Americans and those with genetic predispositions.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have any risk factors for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and preventive strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been promising studies on exosomes in Alzheimer's research, this approach is novel in its comprehensive assessment of diverse populations and multiple exosome types.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deep, Gagan — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Deep, Gagan
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.