Understanding how glial cells affect Alzheimer’s disease through eye imaging
Official title: Illuminating Glial Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease with Optical Coherence Tomography
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11017771 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help clear a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease by using a special imaging technique to check the eyes, and it aims to see if changes in the eye can help spot Alzheimer’s early in people compared to those with other types of dementia and healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $163,980 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AG080178-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017771 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing symptoms of dementia or are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of glial cells in clearing amyloid beta, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, using a non-invasive imaging technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT). By examining the retina, which is simpler in structure than other parts of the brain, researchers aim to identify specific changes in glial function that could indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. The study will compare the retinal responses of individuals with Alzheimer’s, those with other types of dementia, and healthy adults to determine if these changes can serve as a reliable early diagnostic tool. If successful, this approach could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, low-cost, and non-invasive method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using non-invasive imaging techniques to assess brain health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bissig, David Philip — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Bissig, David Philip
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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.