Mapping brain changes in early and advanced Lewy Body Dementia
Official title: Mapping Synaptic Density in Prodromal and Manifest Lewy Body Dementia
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10807560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain connections change in people with Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, using special imaging tools to see these changes in living patients, so we can spot early signs of memory problems and understand how these diseases progress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $755,300 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG082174-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10807560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing early symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as healthy older adults for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced stages of dementia or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how synaptic loss occurs in the brain during the early and later stages of Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Using advanced imaging techniques like PET and MRI, the study aims to measure synaptic density and other brain changes in living patients, rather than relying on post-mortem analysis. By understanding these changes, researchers hope to identify early signs of cognitive decline and better characterize the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management strategies for patients with Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using similar imaging techniques to study neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that this approach is both viable and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gallagher, Catherine L. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Gallagher, Catherine L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
Synthetic protein mimetics to treat Lewy Body Dementia
A new therapeutic approach using engineered protein-like molecules to block the harmful protein clumps that cause Lewy Body Dementia.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a US survey for use in many countries
A study is adapting and testing a survey for dementia care workers in the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why workers stay in their jobs and how to improve care.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a survey for use in many countries
A multinational study will adapt and test a U.S. dementia-care worker survey in Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why staff stay in or leave long-term care settings.
-
Study of Dementia Care Staff in 4 Countries: Adapting Caregiver Surveys Across Cultures
A multinational project will adapt and test a dementia care worker survey so researchers can compare care environments across the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana.
-
New biomarkers to distinguish LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in dementia
A study to develop blood and CSF tests that can tell apart LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in people with dementia.
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.