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AD-Related Dementias Focus
LBD Clinical Characterization and Intervention: Develop and refine neuroimaging biomarkers that track progression, assist in differential diagnosis, provide therapeutic target engagement, and relate to pathology.
2027 RFA-NS-16-022: Biomarkers for the Lewy Body Dementias (U01) RFA-NS-17-016: Leveraging Existing Resources for Research on Lewy Body Dementia (R03) PAR-19-170: Progression Markers for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease Dementia (R01) RFA-NS-19-014: Center without Walls for PET Ligand Development for Alzheimer's disease related dementias (ADRDs) (U19) PAS-19-210: Progression Markers for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease Dementia (R01) NOT-NS-21-001: Administrative Supplements for Connecting Pre-mortem Clinical Information with Post-Mortem Brain Analysis RFA-NS-24-001: Using Multimodal Biomarkers to Differentially Diagnose ADRDs for Clinical Trials (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-NS-24-011: Center without Walls for PET Ligand Development for Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRDs) (U19 - Clinical Trial Optional) (Reissue of RFA-NS-19-014) NOT-NS-24-135: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplement Program to Add Fluid-based Biomarkers and APOE Genotyping to NINDS ADRD Human Subjects Research Grants 9.O In Progress Neuroimaging characterization of LBD DN 2016 ADRD Summit: Lewy Body Dementias (LBD) Focus Area 3: Develop and Validate Biological and Imaging Biomarkers, Recommendation 5 2022 ADRD Summit: Lewy Body Dementias (LBD) Milestone 2, Priority 2 Press Release: PET scans may predict Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia in at-risk individuals Workshop: Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Filling the Gaps in Translational and Clinical Research Progression Markers for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease Dementia (R01) Center without Walls for PET Ligand Development for Alzheimer's disease related dementias (ADRDs) (U19) Select projects funded in FY21 Select projects funded in FY22
- At least two new studies that evaluate, improve, develop, validate, and standardize clinical trial ready LBD neuroimaging biomarkers for the diagnosis, diagnosis, and progression of LBD that are sensitive and specific versus similar disorders.
- At least one clinically validated LBD neuroimaging biomarker that is clinical trial ready.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
Several NIH-funded studies are working to develop imaging markers for LBD. For example, a recently published study found a particular PET imaging measure could help predict whether an individual exhibiting early signs of cognitive decline would go on to develop AD or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In another study, researchers used MRI to assess iron levels in one part of the brain known as the substantia nigra, and they reported that iron levels tended to increase as the severity of DLB increased.
Further evaluation of elevated iron levels as a useful MRI biomarker for disease progression/severity in DLB in a larger number of individuals with DLB will be conducted via the NIH-funded North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy Consortium for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of July 2022.