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 at proteins tied to nerve growth factor in blood and spinal fluid to spot early Alzheimer's changes in people who carry inherited (autosomal dominant) Alzheimer's 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-11376855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers would take blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples from adults who carry or do not carry presenilin-1 (PSEN1) mutations that cause familial Alzheimer's and compare levels of proteins involved in nerve growth factor metabolism. The team will look for patterns that appear before memory or thinking problems start, using the predictable timeline of inherited Alzheimer's to reduce variability. Findings from people with Down syndrome showing similar signals in blood and CSF support this approach, so the study will test whether those signals also mark preclinical stages in familial AD. The work could include repeated visits over time to track changes as the disease progresses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults from families with known autosomal dominant Alzheimer's mutations (particularly PSEN1 mutation carriers) as well as non-carrier family members for comparison.
Not a fit: People without a familial Alzheimer's mutation or those with unrelated causes of cognitive impairment may not get direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a blood or spinal fluid test that detects Alzheimer's-related changes earlier, helping people access prevention trials or treatments sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown NGF pathway disruption in brain tissue and NGF-related signals in blood/CSF of people with Down syndrome, but using these proteins as reliable early biomarkers in inherited Alzheimer's is still relatively new.
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.