Neuroinflammation and white-matter changes in corticobasal syndrome
Neuroinflammation, white matter integrity, AD biomarkers and pathology in corticobasal syndrome
This project uses advanced brain scans and blood tests to look for inflammation and white-matter changes in people with corticobasal syndrome and to see which cases are linked to Alzheimer’s-related changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309163 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll have clinical testing, an advanced MRI (NODDI) that measures white-matter microstructure, PET scans for brain inflammation (ER176) and for amyloid and tau, plus a blood draw to check inflammatory markers. The study will prospectively recruit 80 people with corticobasal syndrome and classify participants using amyloid and tau PET into those with Alzheimer-type biomarkers and those with 4-repeat tau pathology. Researchers will compare where inflammation and white-matter damage occur in the brain and relate those patterns to the molecular biomarker results. The team aims to link biological mechanisms to the different underlying pathologies of CBS to inform future targeted approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with corticobasal syndrome who can travel to Mayo Clinic and tolerate PET/MRI scans and blood draws are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without corticobasal syndrome or those who cannot undergo PET/MRI or blood draws are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors distinguish CBS caused by Alzheimer-related changes from other tauopathies and point toward inflammation-targeted treatments for specific patient groups.
How similar studies have performed: Prior PET and blood-biomarker work has linked neuroinflammation to Alzheimer’s and some tauopathies, but using ER176 PET together with NODDI MRI and fluid markers specifically in CBS is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitwell, Jennifer Louise — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Whitwell, Jennifer Louise
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.