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Unravelling White Matter Biological Heterogeneity for the Prediction of AD

Project description

Linking white matter biology to progression in Alzheimer’s

The white matter of the brain consists mainly of myelinated axons and serves as the brain’s communication network, sending signals to various brain regions. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), white matter changes are increasingly recognised as important drivers of cognitive decline. MRI scans can measure alterations in white matter structure, but the underlying biological processes remain poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WHY-AD project aims to identify the biological pathways that cause white matter dysfunction. In this context, researchers will integrate MRI data with genetics and proteomics across cohorts spanning the AD spectrum. They will build data-driven models of disease progression and test them in clinical settings for AD diagnosis and prognosis.

Objective

White matter (WM) is being increasingly studied in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a possible key pathological driver. In-vivo, WM health can be measured through several metrics derived from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). While these metrics provide information about the WM micro- and macro-structural alterations, the biological processes determining such changes is often unclear. Characterizing these biological pathways is crucial for a more refined use of MRI in the clinics and for building accurate disease models for individualized prediction. In this work, we will use several cohorts covering the AD spectrum with both available MRI and biological data (genetics, proteomics). We will first perform a characterization of the biological pathways that provoke WM dysfunction in different stages of AD. Subsequently, we will use this information to build data-driven models of disease progression and spreading. Finally, we will test the applicability of these models in data from memory clinics.

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Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA
Net EU contribution
€ 193 643,28
Address
VIA BALBI 5
16126 GENOVA
Italy
Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data

Partners (1)