Understanding how brain health relates to Alzheimer's disease and tau deposits
Official title: A multimodal examination of functional network health and its relationship with tau deposition
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10992063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain changes in the brain, called tau deposits, might affect brain health and memory in people who seem to think normally but could be at risk for Alzheimer's disease, with the goal of finding ways to help those who are more vulnerable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,190,943 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG085638-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively normal individuals who may have tau deposits and are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between brain network health and tau deposition in individuals who are cognitively normal but may have Alzheimer's disease pathology. By using advanced imaging techniques like tau PET scans, the study aims to identify how tau deposits affect brain function and resilience to cognitive decline. Participants will be assessed to understand the mechanisms that contribute to cognitive resilience despite the presence of Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain. The findings could help in developing targeted treatments for those at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cognitive decline in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between tau deposition and cognitive resilience, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Visscher, Kristina — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Visscher, Kristina
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.