Understanding myelin loss in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Quantifying myelin degeneration in AD
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10890404 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the protective covering around nerve fibers, called myelin, changes in people with Alzheimer's disease, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve thinking and memory by understanding how myelin affects the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $305,014 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG083702-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890404 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or those exhibiting early signs of cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers, in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. By using advanced imaging techniques and molecular profiling, the study aims to create detailed maps of myelin integrity and its relationship with known Alzheimer's pathologies like amyloid and tau. Patients may benefit from insights into how myelin degeneration affects cognitive functions, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. The research combines innovative synchrotron X-ray imaging with lipidomics and proteomics to provide a comprehensive understanding of myelin's role in Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments that target myelin degeneration in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of integrating myelin imaging with molecular profiling is novel, previous studies have shown promising results in understanding myelin's role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Georgiadis, Marios — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Georgiadis, Marios
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.