Understanding swallowing difficulties in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Swallowing Trajectories and DysPHagia Predictors in AlzheimER’s DisEase (SPHERE)
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11079467 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the swallowing problems that people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions often face, to understand what causes these issues and how they change over time, so we can find better ways to help manage them and prevent serious health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $728,953 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082170-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079467 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, particularly in the early stages of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease who are unable to participate in assessments or interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, that often occur in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to identify the factors that contribute to these swallowing issues and how they change as the disease progresses. By conducting a detailed, long-term study of patients at different stages of dementia, the research seeks to uncover early signs of swallowing impairment and improve clinical management. The ultimate goal is to develop effective interventions to prevent serious health complications associated with dysphagia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management and treatment options for swallowing difficulties in patients with Alzheimer's disease, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful interventions for dysphagia in other neurodegenerative diseases, this specific approach in Alzheimer's disease is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogus-Pulia, Nicole M — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Rogus-Pulia, Nicole M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Swallowing changes and causes of swallowing problems in Alzheimer's disease
Following people with Alzheimer's over time to understand how their swallowing changes and what factors lead to swallowing problems.
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Evaluating and predicting swallowing improvement in hospitalized Alzheimer's patients
This study is looking at how to help patients with Alzheimer's and related dementias who have trouble swallowing, by using a special computer program to predict which patients might get better before they leave the hospital, so that doctors can give them the best care and diet to improve their eating and overall well-b
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Engaging underrepresented individuals with Alzheimer's disease in swallowing research
This study is looking for ways to help people with Alzheimer's and related dementias who have trouble swallowing by teaming up with community groups to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate, so we can find better treatments that improve their swallowing and overall well-being.
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Improving swallowing function in patients with Alzheimer's and related dementias
This study is looking for new ways to help people with Alzheimer's and related dementias who have trouble swallowing, by training a speech therapist to create better treatments that can make eating and drinking safer and easier for them.
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Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
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Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
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.