Predicting who resists Alzheimer's brain changes or stays mentally sharp despite them
Building predictive algorithms to identify resilience and resistance to Alzheimer's disease
Researchers will combine health, genetic, and brain scan information to build tools that predict who may resist Alzheimer's brain changes or stay cognitively healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will combine and harmonize data from 13 existing research cohorts totaling about 15,000 older adults who were clinically normal at baseline. Using easy-to-get medical details—age, race, vascular risk factors, APOE e4 status—and brain volume measures when available, we will train computer models to give clear, patient-level predictions of resistance and resilience to Alzheimer's. The project will examine how sex and race interact with other risk factors and will validate models across the different cohorts to ensure reliability. The aim is an interpretable tool clinicians and trial teams could use to identify people less likely to develop Alzheimer's changes or more likely to remain cognitively healthy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults without dementia who have routine medical information and, ideally, genetic testing (APOE e4) and brain imaging available.
Not a fit: People with advanced Alzheimer's dementia or those without any relevant medical records, genetic results, or brain scans are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these models could help doctors identify people unlikely to develop Alzheimer's or who may remain mentally healthy, improving care decisions and targeting for prevention trials.
How similar studies have performed: Some past studies have made Alzheimer's risk prediction tools, but using large, diverse cohorts to predict resistance and resilience is newer and relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buckley, Rachel Frances — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Buckley, Rachel Frances
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.