Understanding the brain changes related to apathy in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Neural Correlates of Apathy Across the Alzheimer's Disease Continuum
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10993677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feelings of apathy in people with Alzheimer's are connected to changes in the brain, using special imaging to see how certain proteins are affecting motivation and behavior, with the hope of finding better ways to help manage these feelings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $511,221 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG067021-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults with varying stages of Alzheimer's disease, particularly those exhibiting symptoms of apathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of dementia or those without any neuropsychiatric symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how apathy, a common and distressing symptom in Alzheimer's disease, is linked to changes in the brain. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to visualize the distribution of tau and amyloid proteins, which are associated with Alzheimer's pathology, and assess how these changes relate to brain circuits involved in motivation and behavior. The goal is to identify whether the brain mechanisms underlying apathy differ from those affecting cognitive functions in Alzheimer's patients. This could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for managing apathy in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for diagnosing and treating apathy in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's, but this specific approach to studying apathy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marshall, Gad Asher — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Marshall, Gad Asher
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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.