Using blood tests to find early signs of Alzheimer's disease
Plasma Cell-Free RNA as Non-invasive Biomarker for Neurodegeneration
This study is looking at how tiny pieces of RNA in your blood can help spot Alzheimer's disease early, even before symptoms show up, so that people can get diagnosed and treated sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10814277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of cell-free RNA found in blood plasma as a non-invasive biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing these RNA molecules, the study aims to identify changes that occur in the brain long before symptoms appear, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The approach involves high throughput sequencing and advanced bioinformatics, including machine learning, to develop a predictive model for neurodegenerative diseases. This could help monitor disease progression and responses to therapies in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease or those in the early symptomatic stages of the condition.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without any risk factors for the disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease, improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using cell-free nucleic acids as biomarkers in other fields, but this specific approach for Alzheimer's disease is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ibanez, Laura — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ibanez, Laura
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.