New PET tracer to spot astrocyte changes in Alzheimer's
First-in-Human evaluation of an astrocytic glutamate transporter (EAAT2) PET tracer in healthy and Alzheimer's diseased brain
This project tests a new PET tracer called RP-115 that aims to show astrocyte (brain support cell) changes in people with Alzheimer's and in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a PET brain scan using a new radioactive tracer, RP-115, that binds to EAAT2, a protein mainly on astrocytes. The team will first confirm the tracer is safe in people and then compare tracer binding between healthy volunteers and people with Alzheimer's or biomarker-confirmed AD (amyloid and pTau). They will also compare RP-115 images to existing PET scans like FDG and MAO-B to see whether EAAT2 imaging provides earlier or clearer signs of disease. The visits involve tracer injection and imaging sessions at the study site.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease or related cognitive impairment (including those with positive amyloid or pTau biomarkers) and healthy older adults willing to undergo PET imaging are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo PET imaging (for example, pregnant individuals or those with medical issues preventing scans) or whose cognitive problems are not related to Alzheimer pathology may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tracer could help detect Alzheimer's earlier and provide a way to track disease progression or treatment effects.
How similar studies have performed: Other PET scans such as FDG and MAO-B imaging have been useful for mapping Alzheimer changes, but targeting EAAT2 with RP-115 is a novel approach with limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, David M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Wilson, David M
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.