Understanding the causes of white matter changes in aging brains
Official title: An Integrative Computational Multimodal approach to disentangle Pathophysiologic Heterogeneity of age-related White Matter Hyperintensities
Funded at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center · NIH-11232282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at changes in the brain that can affect memory and thinking in older adults, using advanced technology to find different patterns that might help us understand what causes these changes, so we can create better treatments and prevention strategies for aging individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $783,284 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089239-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing cognitive decline or at risk for dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or do not exhibit any signs of cognitive decline or dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates white matter hyperintensities (WMH), which are changes in the brain that can lead to cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. By using advanced machine learning techniques on MRI data, the study aims to identify different patterns of WMH that may arise from various underlying causes, including Alzheimer's disease and other factors. The goal is to better understand these patterns to develop targeted therapies and prevention strategies for aging individuals. This approach seeks to address the complexity of brain health by moving beyond traditional assessment methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning to analyze brain imaging data, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights into WMH pathology.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phuah, Chia-Ling — St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Phuah, Chia-Ling
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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.