Tracking blood protein signals that predict memory and brain changes before dementia
Official title: Longitudinal multi-omic biomarkers for neurocognitive decline prior to dementia onset
Funded at University of Edinburgh · NIH-11197585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking for patterns in thousands of blood proteins and established Alzheimer's markers in older adults to spot early memory and brain changes before dementia begins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Edinburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $593,091 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AG083829-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11197585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults without dementia who can give blood samples and take periodic memory and thinking tests, typically people in their 70s and 80s.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced dementia, those unable to give blood or attend follow-up visits, or those not enrolled in the participating cohorts are unlikely to benefit from participating.
What this research studies
Over several years, researchers will use stored and new blood samples from the Lothian Birth Cohort and other partner studies to measure 7,000 proteins plus established Alzheimer's markers like NfL, p‑tau181, p‑tau217, GFAP and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. They will link those blood results to regular thinking tests and brain imaging done around ages 73, 76, 82, and 85 to see how protein levels change as memory and brain structure change. By combining data across multiple international cohorts, this will be one of the largest studies of protein signals before clinical dementia to date. Statistical growth‑curve and survival models will be used to connect protein patterns to rates of cognitive decline and later clinical dementia diagnoses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people at high risk of dementia years earlier and better target prevention efforts or trial enrollment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown plasma markers like NfL and p‑tau predict decline, but applying a 7,000‑protein panel across multiple cohorts is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, Sarah Elizabeth — University of Edinburgh
- Study coordinator: Harris, Sarah Elizabeth
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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.