Mapping molecular and cellular changes in aging brains with Alzheimer's
Project 4: Integrative analysis of spatial molecular features and clinico-pathological characteristics
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11180259
Researchers will create detailed 3-D maps of molecular and cellular changes in older adults' brains to link those changes with memory and thinking problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180259 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project will profile brain tissue from about 300 older adults who donated their brains, using 3-D molecular mapping and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify cell types and protein pathologies like amyloid, tau, Lewy bodies, and TDP43. The team will combine these molecular maps with the donors' cognitive testing done before death to see which brain changes match memory and thinking decline. The work focuses on how multiple pathologies that often occur together affect cognition and on a newly described microglial cell type (Mi13) that may play a role. The resulting 3-D dataset will be shared so other researchers can use it to speed development of diagnostics and treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults (including people with Alzheimer's or related dementias) who join clinical research cohorts and agree to longitudinal cognitive testing and brain donation.
Not a fit: People who cannot or will not join longitudinal cohort studies or participate in brain donation programs are unlikely to directly take part or benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological markers and targets tied to cognitive decline that help guide future tests and treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: Large brain-tissue programs (for example ROSMAP) have already linked molecular changes to cognition, and this project builds on those successes by adding 3-D spatial detail and a more diverse sample.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DE JAGER, PHILIP L — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: DE JAGER, PHILIP L
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