Using MRI to predict brain changes related to aging
Official title: In-vivo MRI-based prediction of TDP43 pathology in aging
Funded at Illinois Institute of Technology · NIH-10625261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to create a new way to use MRI scans to spot a brain condition called TDP43 that can affect memory and thinking in older adults, and it's for older folks who don’t have dementia yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $615,344 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG064233-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10625261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those without dementia, who are interested in understanding their brain health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those already diagnosed with dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a method using MRI scans to identify TDP43 pathology, a common brain condition in older adults that can lead to cognitive decline and dementia. By combining advanced imaging techniques and machine learning, the study will analyze brain characteristics in older individuals to create a classifier that can predict the presence of TDP43 pathology in living patients. Participants will be older adults who do not currently have dementia, and their MRI data will be compared with postmortem findings to validate the approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier detection of TDP43 pathology, allowing for timely interventions that may slow cognitive decline in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using MRI to predict TDP43 pathology is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other areas of neurodegenerative disease research.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arfanakis, Konstantinos — Illinois Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Arfanakis, Konstantinos
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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.