Treating depression to understand amyloid (Aβ) and Alzheimer’s risk
Depression treatment and Aβ dynamics: A study of Alzheimer’s disease risk
Researchers will look at whether treating depression in older adults changes amyloid (Aβ) levels in blood and spinal fluid and might affect future Alzheimer’s risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144393 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will enroll adults with depression who do not have major memory loss and follow them over time. You would complete depression rating scales and provide blood and spinal fluid (CSF) samples so the team can measure Aβ levels. The team will track how symptoms and Aβ levels change with treatment and over follow-up visits. The goal is to see whether improving depression relates to changes in amyloid markers linked to Alzheimer’s risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with major depressive symptoms but without significant cognitive decline who are willing to give blood and CSF samples and attend clinic visits.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia or significant cognitive impairment, those without depression, or those unwilling to provide blood/CSF samples are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could show that treating depression affects amyloid markers and point to ways to lower Alzheimer’s risk through mental health care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have found links between depression and amyloid and the investigators have preliminary data showing correlations, but whether treating depression changes Aβ levels is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pomara, Nunzio — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pomara, Nunzio
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.