PET scan tracer to image a brain enzyme linked to Alzheimer's
Development of class-IIa HDAC targeting PET probes for molecular imaging of disorders of the CNS
This project will use a new PET tracer to show levels of a brain enzyme called class‑IIa HDAC in people with Alzheimer's disease and in healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11197615 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is developing a new radioactive tracer ([18F]NT311D) that can be seen on PET scans to map a brain enzyme thought to be involved in Alzheimer's. They will refine how the tracer is made, test it in animals, obtain IRB approval and an exploratory IND, and then offer PET scans to human volunteers. The scans aim to measure enzyme levels noninvasively and track changes over time. If everything goes well, this could be used in future studies to detect early disease or to see whether new drugs hit this target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, and older healthy volunteers who are willing and eligible to undergo PET imaging with an injected radiotracer.
Not a fit: People who cannot have PET scans (for example, pregnant individuals, those with medical conditions that preclude participation, or those unwilling to receive a radiotracer) or those without Alzheimer's-related brain changes are unlikely to benefit from this early imaging study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tracer could allow earlier, noninvasive detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's-related biology and help guide development of new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Brain PET tracers for amyloid and tau are well established, but imaging class‑IIa HDAC is novel with encouraging preclinical results and only limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turkman, Nashaat — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Turkman, Nashaat
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.