Riverside, California – A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will investigate how traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR), and Indiana University received a $3.5 million grant to explore the connection between TBI and the accelerated development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD).
TBI, often resulting from head trauma, is common among adolescents in contact sports and older adults prone to falls. Researchers aim to understand how TBI combined with genetic factors influences the progression to Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, led by Andre Obenaus of UCR and Paul Territo of Indiana University, will use rodent models to examine the impact of TBI at various life stages.
Obenaus emphasized the significance of linking TBI and genetic risks to Alzheimer’s, noting that early detection and intervention could delay or prevent the disease’s onset. The study will employ advanced neuroimaging and biomarker analysis to identify early indicators of Alzheimer’s in TBI-affected individuals.
The research, supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is expected to provide valuable insights into TBI’s role in triggering Alzheimer’s. These insights could potentially lead to improved prevention strategies.
