Nerve growth factor changes as an early sign of inherited Alzheimer's disease
Nerve growth factor (NGF) metabolic dysfunction as a marker of cognitive decline in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease
This project looks for changes in NGF-related proteins in blood and spinal fluid to find early signs of inherited Alzheimer's in people with PSEN1 mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11376676 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide blood and possibly cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and share clinical information so researchers can measure proteins in the NGF pathway. The team will compare people who carry PSEN1 mutations to family members who do not carry the mutation to see if NGF-related markers appear before symptoms. The work builds on findings that NGF metabolism is altered in brains and biofluids of people with Alzheimer's and Down syndrome. If you take part, visits would include sample collection and clinical testing at the study site.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults from families with known PSEN1 (autosomal dominant) mutations, including both mutation carriers and non-carrier relatives willing to provide blood and CSF samples.
Not a fit: People with typical late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's or those unwilling to give blood or undergo lumbar puncture are unlikely to benefit directly from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect Alzheimer's changes years before symptoms so treatments or trials can start earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown NGF pathway disruptions in postmortem brains and in blood/CSF of people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's, but using NGF proteins as early markers in PSEN1 carriers is a relatively new application.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quiroz, Yakeel T. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Quiroz, Yakeel T.
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.