Investigating the link between midlife obesity and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers
Official title: Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's Disease Imaging Biomarkers in Midlife Obesity
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11079635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having extra body fat in middle age might raise the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease, and it's for people aged 40 to 60 who are currently thinking clearly and want to help us learn more about the link between weight and brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $615,241 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG072637-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively normal adults aged 40-60 who are overweight or obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the midlife age range or who already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how high body fat during midlife may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. It involves creating a cohort of 120 cognitively normal individuals aged 40-60, who will undergo metabolic testing to categorize their weight status. Participants will be assessed using advanced neuroimaging techniques to identify differences in brain biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's, including amyloid and tau proteins. The study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms connecting obesity and neuroinflammation in the context of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for reducing Alzheimer's disease risk in individuals with midlife obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between obesity and Alzheimer's risk, but this study aims to explore this relationship in a novel way using advanced imaging techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raji, Cyrus a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Raji, Cyrus a
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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.