Linking entorhinal cortex shrinkage to molecular signals in Alzheimer's
Multi-scale MRI-based Diffeomorphometry of Pathology and Molecular Signatures Associated with Entorhinal Cortex Atrophy in Alzheimer's Disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11197603
This project links very detailed brain scans and tissue-level gene activity to understand why a memory-related brain region shrinks early in Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11197603 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers will combine high-resolution post-mortem MRI, tissue staining, and spatial gene activity maps from the same people to match visible brain changes with molecular signals. They focus on the entorhinal cortex, a memory-related area that shows early damage in Alzheimer's, and specifically on layer 2 where vulnerability appears first. The team aligns imaging and molecular data into a common brain map so they can see which genes and pathologies sit where the tissue is shrinking. This approach aims to reveal early molecular clues tied to tau and amyloid pathology that might help with earlier detection or new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Alzheimer's disease or age-matched controls who can donate brain tissue after death and whose clinical or imaging records can be shared.
Not a fit: People who are not willing or able to consent to brain donation, or who do not have Alzheimer's-related pathology, are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular and imaging markers that help detect Alzheimer's earlier and point to targets for new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies combining imaging and post-mortem tissue have provided useful clues, but combining high-field MR with layer-specific spatial transcriptomics in the entorhinal cortex at this resolution is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MILLER, MICHAEL I — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MILLER, MICHAEL I
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease