# Neuropathology Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR · 2024 · $419,058

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY– NEUROPATHOLOGY CORE (NP)
The primary goal of the Neuropathology Core is to collect post-mortem specimens from well-characterized
participants (after receiving their consent), diagnose pathologic changes in their brains as precisely as possible,
and share material and data freely. By accomplishing this goal, the Neuropathology Core aligns with the overall
theme of the NM ADRC on understanding vascular and inflammatory contributions to Alzheimer's and
cerebrovascular diseases in underrepresented groups in New Mexico. The core is led by two neuropathologists
with complementary expertise (Elaine L. Bearer, MD-PhD, and Karen SantaCruz, MD). The participants are both
younger and older people who have multiple causes of dementia with well-characterized evidence of neuro-
inflammation, AD and vascular protein abnormalities; and the New Mexico population includes rural low-income
residents and a majority minority population (50% Hispanic/Latinx and 10% American Indians, living on Pueblos
and Reservations).The Neuropathology Core will have access to the UNM Brain Bank with over 265 archival
brains, including blocks and slides from this population, and is positioned to collect brains prospectively from
study participants who had ante-mortem neuro- and vascular imaging, CSF biomarker measurements, and
cognitive tests, as well as from age-matched community members with or without dementia. All donors are
consented, and autopsies performed at the top-ranking New Mexico Office of Medical Investigator. The
Neuropathology Core will continue to work closely with the other cores of NM ADRC. Significance of this core’s
contributions include: i) Acquisition from under-represented populations; ii) Focus on white matter, vascular and
inflammatory disease. Our Innovations include: i) Ante-mortem/post-mortem MR imaging with co-registrations
and pathology correlates; (ii) development of double-label IHC; and (iii) spatial transcriptomics at high,
subcellular, resolution. Specific aims are four-fold: 1) Acquire, dissect, diagnose, store, and share post-mortem
materials; 2) Develop histopathological strategies to assess vascular and inflammatory biomarkers; 3) Explore
spatial transcriptomics of cognitive impairment in AD and VCID; 4) Develop bidirectional interactive teaching
materials to educate the public and ourselves on the cultural and scientific value of AD research. Resultant well-
characterized biological material, data, generalizable protocols and novel teaching materials will be shared
broadly to investigators both at and beyond UNM, for work aimed at translating what we have learned about
progression-related biomarkers as intervention targets, and to further promote community engagement.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868313
- **Project number:** 1P30AG086404-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** ELAINE L BEARER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $419,058
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868313

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868313, Neuropathology Core (1P30AG086404-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868313. Licensed CC0.

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