Understanding Early Signs of Alzheimer's in Adult Children
Antecedent Biomarkers for Alzheimer Disease: The Adult Children Study
This research looks at how early signs of Alzheimer's disease develop in middle-aged adults who have a family history, even before memory problems appear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076244 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This long-term project follows middle-aged adults who are children of people with Alzheimer's disease to understand the very first changes in the brain. Researchers are tracking molecular markers of Alzheimer's, like specific proteins, and observing how these markers change over time. The goal is to discover what causes these early signs to progress into noticeable memory and thinking problems. This includes looking at tau protein in the brain, blood and spinal fluid markers, the gut microbiome's role, and how physical activity might affect brain health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are middle-aged adults who are cognitively normal but have a parent with Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients already experiencing significant memory loss or diagnosed with symptomatic Alzheimer's disease would not directly benefit from this specific early detection research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us identify people at risk for Alzheimer's much earlier and potentially develop ways to prevent or delay the disease.
How similar studies have performed: This is a long-standing project that builds upon previous findings from the same group, suggesting a proven track record in this area.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, John — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Morris, John
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.