Investigating how early Alzheimer's changes affect memory accuracy.
Official title: Effects of early Alzheimer's pathogenesis on memory accuracy and precision
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11055554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how memory changes in older adults who are healthy but might be in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, to help find better ways to spot the condition before major memory problems start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $307,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG087366-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively unimpaired older adults who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with positive biomarkers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with overt cognitive impairments or those already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the subtle changes in memory that occur during the early, asymptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). By using advanced memory tasks and analyzing plasma biomarkers, the study aims to differentiate between healthy aging and preclinical AD in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Participants will undergo assessments that measure memory precision, which may reveal early signs of Alzheimer's pathology before significant cognitive decline is evident. The findings could lead to improved methods for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention strategies for Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers and advanced memory assessments to detect early Alzheimer's changes, indicating that this approach is building on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hill, Paul — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Hill, Paul
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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.