Preventing inherited Alzheimer's before symptoms
DIAN-TU Primary Prevention Trial
This trial tests whether a treatment can stop Alzheimer's-related amyloid from forming in people who carry a gene for early-onset Alzheimer's but have no symptoms yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11377900 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be enrolled as someone who carries a dominantly inherited Alzheimer mutation but is still cognitively normal and many years from expected symptoms. Participants are randomly assigned to receive the study treatment or a placebo, and neither you nor the study team would know which one you get (double-blind). The trial lasts about four years and uses brain PET scans and other biomarkers to watch for amyloid buildup rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. The platform runs at many international DIAN-TU sites, so visits and testing happen at participating centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who carry a dominantly inherited Alzheimer's (DIAD) mutation, are currently symptom-free, have minimal or no amyloid plaque on PET, and are more than 15 years before their estimated year of symptom onset are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already have cognitive symptoms, who are not mutation carriers, or who already show substantial amyloid plaque buildup are unlikely to benefit from this prevention-focused trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer symptoms in people with dominantly inherited mutations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials that targeted amyloid after plaques formed have shown mixed clinical results, so primary prevention before amyloid appears is a newer approach with limited prior proof of success.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdade, Eric Martin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mcdade, Eric Martin
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.