Yong Wang, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has received a new $3.75 million award entitled “Quantification of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease using Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging” funded by the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Aging.
Alzheimer’s disease is preceded by at least a decade of clinically silent brain changes (termed “preclinical Alzheimer’s disease”) that ultimately result in declines in memory and thinking. Inflammation in the brain may play an important role in the transition from normal cognition to dementia but currently we lack easily accessible tools to identify neuroinflammation.
This 5-year study will enable Dr. Wang in collaboration with Dr. Tammie Benzinger to use a novel brain imaging test, diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), to examine inflammation during the stages of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Congratulations!