Understanding the causes of dementia through brain autopsy analysis

Neuropathology Core

NIH-funded research Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10873198

This study is looking at brain tissue from people who had dementia to help find better ways to diagnose the condition early and discover new treatments, so we can better understand how dementia affects the brain and improve care for those living with it.

Quick facts

Grant typeP30 center grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10873198 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on using brain autopsy to diagnose dementia-related diseases, which is crucial for developing effective biomarkers and understanding the cellular changes that lead to dementia. By analyzing postmortem brain tissue, the study aims to identify reliable features for early diagnosis and support the discovery of drugs that can modify the course of dementia. The research will also collect and distribute biospecimens for further studies and support investigations into unique cases of cognitive aging and various forms of dementia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with dementia or those who have experienced significant cognitive decline.

Not a fit: Patients who are not diagnosed with dementia or do not have cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of dementia, as well as the development of new treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that autopsy-based studies have been instrumental in understanding dementia, indicating a strong potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.