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In an impressive endeavor to advance our understanding of Alzheimer's disease, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has been awarded a substantial grant of $150 million from the National Institutes of Health. This funding marks a significant moment in the study of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, positioning UW-Madison at the forefront of a major national research initiative.
The five-year study, titled Clarity in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI), aims to utilize state-of-the-art imaging and blood-based biomarkers. The primary objective is to provide researchers globally with critical data to enhance the study of Alzheimer's and related dementias, particularly focusing on mixed dementia. Mixed dementia is a condition where more than one neurological disease contributes to dementia, a scenario more common than previously realized. It includes complex interplays such as a combination of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia (which affects blood flow in the brain), and Lewy body dementia (associated with a brain protein called alpha-synuclein).
Sterling Johnson, the study leader and a professor of medicine at UW School of Medicine and Public Health, emphasizes the importance of understanding the true cause of a patient's dementia for effective treatment. This study, he notes, is a significant milestone in Alzheimer's research, offering new perspectives on the complex interactions of multiple pathologies contributing to dementia.
The CLARiTI study involves all 37 Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers in the United States. It will establish a standardized brain imaging and blood plasma test protocol to analyze levels and types of two proteins, amyloid and tau. These proteins are hallmark biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the research will assess the function of small blood vessels in the brain and analyze signs of neurodegeneration.
With more than 17,000 participants involved in the Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers, CLARiTI will add standardized imaging of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration biomarkers. This will lay a critical foundation of data for future research. Johnson points out that this consortium of centers will collect, share, and analyze hundreds of unique imaging-plasma sets linked to cognitive and neurobehavioral data, genetics, and eventually neuropathology.
Amyloid Biomarkers: Indicators of the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the brain, known to form plaques and are a key feature in Alzheimer's disease, detectable through brain imaging or fluid tests.
Tau Biomarkers: Measures of abnormal tau proteins, which in Alzheimer's disease become tangled and contribute to neuronal damage, identifiable through imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
Neurodegeneration Biomarkers: Indicators of neuronal loss or damage in the brain, reflecting the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease, detectable through brain imaging or biochemical markers in fluids like blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
Distinguishing between amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration biomarkers is crucial for accurately diagnosing, understanding the progression, and tailoring specific treatments for Alzheimer's disease, as each biomarker provides unique insights into the different pathological aspects of the condition.
The study will involve 2,000 participants from various sites nationwide, collecting data through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans, alongside advanced blood biomarkers. This approach will enable researchers to correlate biological changes with clinical diagnoses, genetics, and changes in patient symptoms over time.
One of the most significant aspects of the study is its commitment to scientific diversity. Johnson highlights the intention to recruit at least one quarter of participants from historically underrepresented communities in research, acknowledging the imperative of diversity in ensuring the findings are applicable to all individuals affected by these conditions.
The anticipated funding, totaling up to $150 million over five years, is the largest award from the NIH in UW-Madison's history. The goal is to support progress in clinical care for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Dr. John Hsiao, program director at the National Institute of Aging, anticipates that the study's results will aid in developing better treatments for these conditions.
The data generated from CLARiTI will be made available to the scientific community through the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Biological samples will be analyzed and made available through the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, significantly accelerating scientific discovery within and beyond the Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers network.
This large-scale research initiative not only addresses a critical research gap but also builds a bridge to future uniform blood-biomarker characterization in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers, thereby expanding their reach and impact.
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