26 Dec Wisconsin researchers begin data collection for national Alzheimer’s study
UW-Madison professor Sterling Johnson examines images from PET scans that may show markers in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Photo courtesy UW-Madison
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have collected brain scans in a first-of-its kind study on Alzheimer’s disease.
The national research project is working to gather comprehensive brain imaging and blood-based biomarkers from 2,000 participants across the country.
The data, which is collected from individuals twice over three years, will allow researchers to track biological signs of Alzheimer’s in order to better understand the disease. Scientists also hope the research will further understanding of other types of cognitive impairments or dementias in older adults.
The study is a collaboration of 37 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the U.S. and received a $150 million grant from the National Institutes of Health earlier this year. The research center at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health was chosen to pilot the first series of brain scans starting in August.
Barbara Smith Ballen from Madison was one of the first to participate. Her father was diagnosed with dementia in the years leading up to his death. She said a few of her close friends have gone through similar experiences after having a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Smith Ballen, who admits she’s not a fan of blood draws or hospital visits, said she hopes the study will lead to improvements in diagnosis and treatment.
“I just have such motivation and compassion for this particular disease, and trying to really help the researchers that seem very dedicated to finding results,” she said.
Ozioma Okonkwo, a UW-Madison professor helping to lead the project, said they’ve continued to see strong public interest in Alzheimer’s disease research.
“Some of them may not even currently have a loved one with Alzheimer’s,” Okonkwo said. “We need both types of individuals in the study to enable us to begin to drill down and say what are some of the earliest signals that we might be able to detect in the brain or blood or spinal fluid of these two classes of individuals.”