Investigating the link between depression and Alzheimer's disease risk
Official title: Depression treatment and Aβ dynamics: A study of Alzheimer’s disease risk
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10889158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how depression might affect the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease by checking the levels of certain proteins in the brain, and it's for adults over 21 who are dealing with depression to help understand how their mood might relate to their brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $761,833 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070821-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 who are experiencing symptoms of depression, particularly those without significant cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have depression or those already diagnosed with significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how depression may influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by examining the dynamics of amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins in the brain. It focuses on adults over 21, particularly those experiencing depression, to understand how changes in Aβ levels relate to depression severity. The study utilizes various depression rating scales and analyzes cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples to uncover potential causal relationships. By identifying these connections, the research aims to provide insights into how managing depression could impact Alzheimer's disease risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for reducing Alzheimer's disease risk through the treatment of depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the relationship between depression and Alzheimer's risk, suggesting that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pomara, Nunzio — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pomara, Nunzio
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease: Understanding How They Connect
This project looks at how depressive symptoms relate to Alzheimer's disease biology in older adults to find ways to prevent or slow memory loss.
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Understanding how the immune system relates to mood symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease
A doctor-scientist will study how immune system signals in people with Alzheimer’s relate to mood problems like depression, anxiety, and apathy to find new ways to help patients.
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Treating depression to understand amyloid (Aβ) and Alzheimer’s risk
Researchers will look at whether treating depression in older adults changes amyloid (Aβ) levels in blood and spinal fluid and might affect future Alzheimer’s risk.
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Exploring the link between depression and Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how depression might affect brain changes related to Alzheimer's disease in older adults who are still mentally sharp, to see if depressive symptoms could signal early signs of memory problems and help find new ways to prevent dementia.
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How depression affects Alzheimer's disease and its origins during pregnancy
This study is looking at how depression and Alzheimer's disease might be linked, especially by exploring how things during pregnancy could play a role, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about brain health and memory changes over time.
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Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
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.