TBI in AD/ADRD: Develop infrastructure for risk factor identification (Milestone 1.O)
In Progress
Timeline Start - End
2020 - 2025Research Implementation Area
Population Studies and Precision MedicineAD-Related Dementias Focus
Establish research infrastructure, including multimodal longitudinal studies with autopsy endpoints that employ standardized CDEs and methodologies, to study post-TBI AD/ADRD.
Success Criteria
- Develop and validate at least one TBI-related risk stratification model of dementia, including in diverse populations.
- Build or enhance existing brain biorepositories to include brain tissues and biofluids from individuals with TBI for the purpose of understanding AD/ADRD outcomes.
- Develop a best-practice document for using standardized common data elements (CDEs) and methods for tissue preservation of human neuropathological studies in TBI.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
There is considerable research and public interest in the consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly in relation to the risk of AD/ADRD in individuals with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Ongoing NIH studies funded under two recent NOFOs (RFA-NS-19-030 an RFA-NS-19-026) are characterizing the post-mortem brain changes that are associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in persons with a history of TBI. These studies support national TBI research sharing by requiring that researchers submit high-quality clinical data to the Federal Interagency of Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) database, share biospecimens through the NINDS-sponsored BioSEND repository, and develop a digital resource for distributing brain tissue. Awardees funded under an FY22 NOFO (PAR 22-024) will also investigate biological and clinical measures of TBI-related progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive decline while ensuring that individuals are recruited from diverse backgrounds.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of July 2022.
Accomplishments/Implementation Activities
Funding Initiatives
- RFA-NS-19-026: Clinical and Biological Measures of TBI-related dementia including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (R01)
- RFA-NS-19-030: Neuropathological Assessment of TBI-related Neurodegeneration and Neurocognitive Decline - Center Without Walls (NATBI CWOW) (U54)
- NOT-AG-20-043: Administrative Supplements for NIA-VA Mentored Physician-Scientist Award in Alzheimer’s Disease and its Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)
- NOT-NS-22-002: Adding TBI Assessments to AD/ADRD Cohorts
- RFA-NS-22-061: Training Award to Promote Cross-Training in the Fields of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (K18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Research Programs and Resources
- Clinical and Biological Measures of TBI-related dementia including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (R01)
- Neuropathological Assessment of TBI-related Neurodegeneration and Neurocognitive Decline - Center Without Walls (NATBI CWOW) (U54)
- NINDS BioSEND
- FITBIR
- Select projects funded in FY21
- Select projects funded in FY22
- NACC Biospecimen Locator
Research Highlights
Relevant Recommendations
- 2019 ADRD Summit: Emerging Scientific Topics, Focus Area 2: TBI and AD/ADRD Risk, Milestone 6
- 2022 ADRD Summit: Multiple Etiology Dementias (MED) Special Topic: Post-TBI AD/ADRD Milestone 3, Priority 3