Investigating how puberty and brain development differ by sex in families at risk for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Examining sex-differences in puberty and brain development in carriers of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10885306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how differences between boys and girls during puberty might affect the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease in children who have a family history of it, and it aims to find out how their thinking skills and brain structure change during this time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $679,083 |
| NIH project number | 1U01AG087103-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 0-11 years who are carriers of the E280A mutation associated with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not carry the E280A mutation or are not from families with a history of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how sex differences in puberty and brain development may influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in children from families with a genetic predisposition. By studying carriers of the E280A mutation associated with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease, researchers aim to identify early cognitive vulnerabilities and changes in brain structure. The study will involve assessments of cognitive abilities and brain imaging to explore how these factors interact with puberty. The findings could provide insights into the biological mechanisms that contribute to Alzheimer's risk later in life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of cognitive vulnerabilities in children at risk for Alzheimer's disease, potentially guiding preventive strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive differences in Alzheimer's disease carriers, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quiroz, Yakeel T. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Quiroz, Yakeel T.
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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.