NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Investigating brain structure changes in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Official title: Relationships between sulcal morphology, neuropathology, and cognition in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10826397 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how changes in certain parts of the brain might be linked to memory and thinking problems in older adults, including those with Alzheimer's disease, by comparing brain scans from healthy seniors and those with the condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Berkeley
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Berkeley, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$45,483
NIH project number1F31AG082446-01A1
Project IDNIH-10826397 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include cognitively normal older adults and older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Less likely to help

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

What this research studies

This research explores how changes in the brain's surface structure, specifically the tertiary sulci, relate to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). By using advanced imaging techniques like PET and MRI, the study will analyze brain scans from cognitively healthy older adults and those with AD to understand how these structural changes correlate with cognitive function and the presence of amyloid plaques. The goal is to identify specific brain morphology patterns that could indicate the progression of cognitive impairment in aging and AD.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and early detection of cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain morphology and cognitive function, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Berkeley
    Berkeley, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Maboudian, Samira Alessandra — University of California Berkeley
  • Study coordinator: Maboudian, Samira Alessandra

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.