NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Mapping brain networks in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Official title: Precision Mapping of Functional Networks in Healthy and Pathological Aging

Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-10973479 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how the brain works in older adults, both healthy ones and those with Alzheimer's, using special brain scans to see how their brain activity changes with age and disease, which could help improve diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$44,439
NIH project number1F99AG088569-01
Project IDNIH-10973479 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are healthy older adults aged 60-75 and younger adults aged 18-30.

Less likely to help

Patients with severe cognitive impairment or those outside the specified age ranges may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how brain networks function in both healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease using advanced imaging techniques. By employing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the study aims to identify individual-specific brain network patterns in older adults compared to younger adults. Participants will undergo multiple fMRI sessions to gather detailed data on their brain activity, which will help researchers understand how these networks change with age and disease. The goal is to enhance our understanding of brain function in aging and Alzheimer's, potentially leading to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar fMRI techniques has shown promise in understanding brain network changes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Northwestern University
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Perez Rivera, Diana Carolina — Northwestern University
  • Study coordinator: Perez Rivera, Diana Carolina

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.