NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Nerve Growth (NGF) Factor Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11597016 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $150,066 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG077627-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11597016 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals carrying pathogenic PSEN1 mutations causing autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease and their non-carrier comparison peers.
✕Less likely to help
People without a PSEN1 mutation or without access to biofluid samples may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
The study follows people who carry pathogenic PSEN1 mutations to see if NGF-related proteins in blood and spinal fluid rise or change before symptoms appear. By measuring these biomarkers over time, researchers hope to identify an early warning sign of brain change long before dementia starts. The approach uses longitudinal biofluid samples from a well-defined, genetically at-risk group to minimize variability and clarify the NGF pathway’s role in disease progression. If successful, the work could add a new, accessible way to detect preclinical AD in high-risk families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the biomarker signals are validated, patients at risk could be monitored earlier and enroll in preventive trials sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked NGF metabolism changes to AD pathology, with some evidence in preclinical stages, but this specific familial mutation-focused biomarker testing is still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quiroz, Yakeel T. — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Quiroz, Yakeel T.
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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.