Investigating the role of essential chemical elements in human health and disease

Biomedical National Elemental Imaging Resource (BNEIR)

NIH-funded research Dartmouth College · NIH-11061005

This study is looking at how certain minerals in our bodies, like iron and zinc, affect health, especially in conditions like Alzheimer's disease, to help find better ways to diagnose and treat these illnesses.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDartmouth College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hanover, United States)
Project IDNIH-11061005 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how various chemical elements in the human body, such as iron, zinc, and aluminum, impact health and disease, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease. By using advanced imaging techniques, the project aims to visualize the distribution of these elements at a microscopic level, which is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and the effectiveness of treatments. The research will explore how dysregulation of these elements contributes to diseases and how they can be used as diagnostic tools or therapeutic agents. Patients may benefit from insights gained into the elemental causes of their conditions and potential new treatment strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, as well as those with conditions linked to elemental dysregulation.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to elemental imbalances or those not diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using elemental imaging to understand disease mechanisms, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Hanover, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.