Understanding Thyroid Hormone and Alzheimer's Disease
Thyroid Hormone Action in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
This project explores if having too much thyroid hormone might increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and similar memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174493 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people take thyroid hormone, and sometimes the dose can be a bit high, leading to low TSH levels. Recent findings suggest that these low TSH levels might be linked to a higher chance of memory issues later in life. This project will carefully examine health records from many patients over time to see if there's a clear connection between thyroid hormone levels and the risk of dementia. We hope to find out if adjusting thyroid hormone prescriptions could help prevent Alzheimer's and related conditions, potentially benefiting millions of older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who are currently taking thyroid hormone or have a history of thyroid hormone therapy, especially those with low TSH levels, are relevant to the data being studied.
Not a fit: Patients who do not take thyroid hormone or do not have concerns about cognitive decline related to thyroid function may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to simple changes in how thyroid hormone is prescribed, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease for millions of older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous findings have shown an association between low TSH and increased risk of cognitive disorder, and this project aims to further understand this relationship and its preventative potential.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mammen, Jennifer Sophie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Mammen, Jennifer Sophie
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 below.