Understanding hippocampal aging diseases that look like Alzheimer's
Official title: Diagnosis and Risk factors of hippocampal sclerosis of aging and limbic predominant age related TDP-43 encephalopathy; common Alzheimer’s mimics
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11368537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to help doctors tell apart two aging brain conditions, HS-A and LATE-NC, from Alzheimer's disease so patients can get better diagnoses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,761,126 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG062706-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with memory problems who may have Alzheimer’s-type symptoms and could be affected by HS-A or LATE-NC.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not change diagnosis or treatment for those whose symptoms are clearly due to Alzheimer’s disease.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve life for people with memory problems by focusing on two aging brain conditions that often look like Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists will use MRI findings and other markers to distinguish HS-A and LATE-NC from Alzheimer’s disease while the patients are alive, rather than only after death. The project builds on prior work showing MRI changes and clinical features may help differentiate these conditions, with a goal of better, earlier diagnosis and care planning. Participants may contribute imaging data and clinical information to help clarify how these diseases manifest.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, guiding more personalized treatment and care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests MRI and clinical features can help distinguish HS-A/LATE-NC from Alzheimer’s, but live-diagnosis approaches are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sajjadi, Seyed Ahmad — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Sajjadi, Seyed Ahmad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How lifestyle factors together affect cognitive aging in adults 55+
A long-term study will look at how things like activity, smoking, drinking, body weight, and social connections influence brain aging in adults 55 and older.
-
Clonal blood changes, social factors, and aging in people with HIV
This project looks at how blood cell changes, aging markers, and social/behavioral factors might predict faster aging in people living with HIV.
-
Psychological factors, quality of life, community, and brain aging in American Indians
This research looks at how stress, mood, and community ties affect brain aging and risk of dementia in American Indian adults.
-
BA-UMAP: Understanding cognitive aging in Black adults using remote assessments
A large US study follows 600 Black adults aged 55+ over several years to understand how biopsychosocial factors relate to cognitive change, using online surveys, remote cognitive tests, and optional saliva/urine samples.
-
Midlife memory and dementia risk in Kenyan adults
This work looks at midlife thinking and memory and how childhood health and life experiences might affect future dementia risk for Kenyan adults.
-
Understanding Memory and Aging in Black Adults
This effort aims to learn more about why Alzheimer's disease and related memory problems are more common in Black adults by looking at various health and social factors.
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.