Investigating how blood pressure and body weight affect brain health in early Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: Elevated systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and amyloid as drivers of tau and cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimers disease: critical windows in mid- to late-life
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10991672 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how high blood pressure and weight can affect the buildup of a protein in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease, and it hopes to find out if checking for this protein in the blood can help catch early signs of memory problems sooner than current methods, all to help people at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,145 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AG084868-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991672 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults in midlife who have elevated blood pressure or BMI and are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Alzheimer's disease or do not have elevated blood pressure or BMI may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how high blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) contribute to the accumulation of tau protein in the brain during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. By examining the timing of these factors, the study aims to identify critical periods when interventions could be most effective. Researchers will explore whether measuring specific tau proteins in the blood can provide earlier insights into cognitive decline compared to traditional imaging methods. The ultimate goal is to find ways to prevent or slow down cognitive decline in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cognitive decline in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that managing vascular risk factors can positively impact cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may be promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yau, Wai-Ying Wendy — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Yau, Wai-Ying Wendy
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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.