The University of Southern California (USC) Department of Contracts and Grants Division was awarded a $622,401 Project Grant from the National Institute on Aging (CFDA 93.866 - Aging Research) to conduct research on causal and event-based modeling of brain alterations in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The project aims to:
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Fit novel adaptations of diffusion MRI models to clinical data to predict cerebrospinal fluid and PET-derived amyloid load in symptomatic vs. pre-symptomatic individuals.
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Use AI models to generate individualized whole-brain MRI prediction maps of future brain morphology, enabling earlier identification of abnormal aging trajectories.
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Employ a marginal sensitivity model to identify causal relationships between modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, and brain changes in key neurodegenerative pathways, accounting for potential confounding.
The resulting tools are expected to provide a more comprehensive and causal understanding of biomarker changes in ADRD, informing interventions to delay disease onset and progression. The award period is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029.
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