Measuring brain cell viscosity to detect early Alzheimer's
Cellular Viscosity as a Marker for Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology: A Combined Multiparametric MR Spectroscopy and PET Study
Using special MRI and PET scans, doctors aim to detect and track early Alzheimer's by measuring how viscous brain cells are in people with memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093481 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have special brain scans that combine PET imaging for amyloid and tau with a new MRI method called Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Fingerprinting (MRSF) that estimates intracellular viscosity in neurons and astrocytes. MRSF measures relaxation properties of two cell-specific chemicals—N‑acetyl‑aspartate (NAA) for neurons and myo‑inositol (mI) for astrocytes—to infer changes in cell 'thickness' or internal environment. Researchers will compare these viscosity measures with standard PET and MRI markers and follow participants over time to see how they relate to disease progression. All scans are noninvasive and performed at New York University School of Medicine.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's symptoms, or older controls willing to undergo MRI and PET scans and follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia or those who cannot safely undergo MRI or PET (for example because of implanted metal devices, severe claustrophobia, or pregnancy) are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new imaging biomarker to detect Alzheimer's earlier and help predict who will decline, supporting earlier or more personalized care.
How similar studies have performed: Amyloid and tau PET imaging is well established, but using MRSF to measure intracellular viscosity is a novel approach that has limited prior testing in patient groups.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirov, Ivan Ivanov — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kirov, Ivan Ivanov
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.