Using saliva to find early signs of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders

Salivary Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

NIH-funded research Brown University · NIH-11056883

This study is looking at how tiny particles in saliva could help us spot early signs of Alzheimer's and similar conditions, making it easier and less invasive for people to find out if they're at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056883 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of salivary extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The goal is to develop a non-invasive method to identify individuals at risk of developing these conditions, which include Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, and others. By analyzing saliva samples, researchers aim to discover easily accessible biomarkers that can be used in clinical settings to detect early signs of disease, potentially allowing for earlier intervention. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of current diagnostic methods that are often invasive or costly.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, particularly those in the preclinical stage of the disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's disease or related disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a simple saliva test that helps identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders much earlier than current methods allow.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been some success with blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's, the use of salivary biomarkers is still a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Providence, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.