# Neurophysiological Assessments of Network Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $172,098

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This is an application for a K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to promote
the candidate's development as an independent researcher in clinical neuroscience, with a focus on
understanding the neurophysiological abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and eventually, in other
dementia syndromes. Dr. Ranasinghe's long-term career goal is to develop a deep knowledge base on brain-
behavior relationships associated with specific pathophysiological processes in neurodegenerative diseases.
The current research project proposes a multimodal, longitudinal brain imaging study, integrating
magnetoencephalographic imaging (MEGI) with positron emission tomography (PET), and with progressive
trajectories of neurodegenerative processes, in AD patients. AIM-1 examines the distinct patterns of network
synchronization deficits in patients with AD using MEGI, and their specific associations to PET-derived
molecular markers of amyloid beta and tau. AIM-2 conducts longitudinal MEGI assessments of network deficits
combined with cognitive and volumetric measures with annual follow-ups for two years. The results will
uncover neurophysiological signatures of aberrant neuronal functions in AD, in humans, and will have
important implications for translational research and clinical trials. This K08 will provide Dr. Ranasinghe with
the support necessary to accomplish the following goals: (1) Training in application and analysis of multimodal
neuroimaging techniques; (2) Clinical training in patient evaluations and longitudinal follow-up; (3) Gaining
greater depth of knowledge in mechanisms of AD; (4) Training in advanced biostatistical analyses in clinical
research; (5) Training in grant writing, career development, and research ethics. To achieve these goals, Dr.
Ranasinghe has assembled a mentoring team including her primary mentor: Dr. Katherine Rankin (a
neuropsychologist with expertise in neurodegenerative diseases); and two co-mentors: Drs. Gil Rabinovici (a
behavioral neurologist with expertise in molecular imaging), and Srikantan Nagarajan (a neuroscientist with
expertise in magnetoencephalography). The collaborators of Dr. Ranasingh'e project include Drs. Maria Luisa
Gorno-Tempini (a behavioral neurologist with expertise in neuroimaging), Joel Kramer (a neuropsychologist
with expertise in cognitive ageing), Lea Grinberg (a neuropathologist with expertise in neurobiology of AD), and
Maria Glymour (a biostatistician). The candidate is a physician-scientist with a strong commitment to a career
in neurodegenerative dementia research. The University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging
Center is an ideal environment for the proposed training, being a top dementia research institute in the nation
with access to world leading experts in clinical and translational research. The research and training
experience described in this proposal will enable the candidate's goal of developing a strong independent
research car...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146262
- **Project number:** 5K08AG058749-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kamalini Gayathree Ranasinghe
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $172,098
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146262

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146262, Neurophysiological Assessments of Network Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease (5K08AG058749-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146262. Licensed CC0.

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