Preparing for clinical trials in a rare visual dementia condition
Official title: Clinical Trial Readiness for Posterior Cortical Atrophy Syndrome
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10948819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for 25 people with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare condition that affects vision and is often related to Alzheimer's, to help gather important information over a year so we can better understand PCA and prepare for future treatments that fit the specific challenges of this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TR004695-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, particularly those aged between 50 and 64 years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia that do not present with visual dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the rare syndrome of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), which is characterized by progressive visual dysfunction and is often linked to Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to gather important longitudinal data through clinical outcome assessments and plasma biomarkers to facilitate the readiness for clinical trials using existing therapeutic candidates. By enrolling 25 individuals diagnosed with PCA, the research will assess specific outcomes related to this condition over a year, addressing the unique challenges faced in traditional Alzheimer's trials that typically focus on memory impairment. This approach seeks to develop tailored assessment tools that reflect the distinct symptoms of PCA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved clinical trial designs and better therapeutic options for patients with posterior cortical atrophy.
How similar studies have gone: While research on posterior cortical atrophy is limited, the approach of developing specific outcome measures for unique dementia presentations has shown promise in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pelak, Victoria Susan — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Pelak, Victoria Susan
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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.