Alzheimer’s research project renewed for further five years

Published: 22-Oct-2010

Aims to gain new insights into progression of Alzheimer’s disease


The US Foundation for the National Institutes of Health has announced that the National Institutes of Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has been renewed for a further five years.

The aim of the study expansion, called ADNI2, is to gain new insights into the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of improving clinical trial design and aiding drug development. Researchers will use imaging techniques and biomarker measures in blood and cerebrospinal fluid to identify and track early changes in the brain before the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

‘The study’s chief goal is to identify biomarkers that recognise Alzheimer's disease at an early stage and monitor progression and response to treatment,’ said Michael Weiner, ADNI Principal Investigator.

The grant will fund the enrolment of 550 new participants to clinical trials and continued measurement of more than 1,000 people with mild cognitive impairment, and patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

Around US$62m is expected to support ADNI2 over five years. The Foundation for NIH has raised more than US$22m for the project. The National Institutes of Health anticipates providing US$40m over the course of ADNI2; US$8m was awarded to the project this year and a further US$32m has been committed. Combined with the US$27m raised for ADNI1, nearly US$50m has been raised to date by the Foundation for NIH from the private sector toward these projects.

You may also like