Noninvasive retinal biomarker for early cognitive impairment
Official title: Noninvasive assessment of neurovascular coupling for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment
Funded at Vasoptic Medical, INC. · NIH-11315246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to test a quick eye-based test that might detect early brain changes linked to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vasoptic Medical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $947,679 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AG099581-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for mild cognitive impairment or early dementia who can participate in a noninvasive eye-blood-flow test.
✕Less likely to help
People without early cognitive changes or eye conditions that affect retinal imaging may see little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a patient-friendly, noninvasive device that measures how retinal blood flow responds to light changes to identify early signs of cognitive decline. By focusing on the retina as a proxy for brain blood-vessel health, researchers will create a clinical-grade instrument and test it in people who may be developing mild cognitive impairment. The approach emphasizes simplicity, speed, and safety so it could become a practical screening option for at-risk adults. If successful, this tool could help identify people who should receive further brain assessments sooner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get earlier detection of cognitive changes through a quick eye test.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence links retinal vascular responses to cognitive status, but a validated, practical clinical test is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Vasoptic Medical, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rege, Abhishek — Vasoptic Medical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Rege, Abhishek
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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.