Investigating how sex differences affect Alzheimer's disease vulnerability
Official title: Sex-based contributors to vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease: a multimodal imaging study
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11135877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why women seem to be more affected by Alzheimer's disease than men, focusing on things like menopause and genetics, and it’s for both men and women with early-stage Alzheimer's as well as healthy individuals to help understand how these factors influence brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $815,215 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG089467-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women and men aged 21 and older who are experiencing early-stage Alzheimer's disease or are healthy controls.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or those with advanced Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the reasons why women are more affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) than men, particularly focusing on how sex-based factors like menopause and genetic variants influence brain health. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to identify differences in brain circuitry that may contribute to the faster progression of AD in women. Participants will include both men and women with early-stage AD and healthy controls, allowing researchers to compare brain function and pathology across sexes. The study will also analyze how reproductive history and genetic factors impact these findings over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and targeted interventions for Alzheimer's disease, particularly for women who are at greater risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that sex differences play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fredericks, Carolyn Anne — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Fredericks, Carolyn Anne
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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.