# Fluid Biomarker Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR · 2024 · $413,742

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – BIOMARKER (FLUID) CORE (BMC)
During the NMeADRC, we identified specific MRI- and fluid- based biomarkers to classify ADRDs into vascular
and neurodegenerative contributions. Currently, AD diagnosis uses the NIA/AA formula with A+ (A), T+
(phosphorylated tau at threonine 181), and N+ (neurodegeneration) as surrogates in diagnosis. These require
invasive lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid or costly Positron Emission Tomography scans. The BMC has
two ultrasensitive assay instruments, MesoScale Discovery and Quanterix HD-X, to assay for plasma
biomarkers, such as neurofilament light (NfL) and glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP). In addition, we have
measured blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCEMRI) and albumin
index as an indicator of inflammation. Importantly, biomarkers improve patient classification. We developed a
clustering method to separate patients based on CSF AD proteins and MRI white matter injury (the double
dichotomy method) that classified subjects into AD, VCID, MX, and controls. We have further improved this
approach with a larger cohort from the ADNI database and the addition of a cognitive axis (trichotomy method).
This expands the diagnostic formula to ATNVI formula by adding neurovascular (V) and neuroinflammatory
biomarkers (I). The availability of plasma-based biomarkers will be a major benefit for the rural populations in
New Mexico. They will allow for population screening for early AD patient inclusion in the emerging clinical trials
for AD. This focus on vascular disease and inflammation is especially important in the minority populations of
rural New Mexico because of the high incidence of vascular disease in this population. Early identification of at-
risk individuals we provide the basis for studies of prevention in these populations of Hispanics/Latinos (H/L) and
American Indians (AI) that are rarely included in such studies. The BMC will also share fluid samples and
biomarker data (where allowed) with NACC to support national initiatives in understanding the etiological factors
of AD/ADRDs in diverse populations and thus meet the goals of NAPA. The specific aims of the BMC are Aim
1: To establish a state-of-the-art infrastructure for sample collection, biobanking, biomarker analysis, and
prioritization to assess AD/ADRD risk and early onset and to track progression. Aim 2: To validate the plasma-
based biomarkers by correlation with indicators of inflammation developed in MarkVCID and cognitive
impairment from neuropsychological testing. Patients with multiple etiology dementia will be identified by injury
to the white matter shown by MRI and AD proteins in the blood. We will develop a pipeline for sharing resources
and supporting developmental work on AD/ADRD at UNM and across New Mexico. Aim 3: To integrate with
other Cores to identify risk factors, prevalence, and prognosis of AD/ADRDs using plasma-based biomarkers to
improve diagnosis and care of ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868316
- **Project number:** 1P30AG086404-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Kiran Bhaskar
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $413,742
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868316

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868316, Fluid Biomarker Core (1P30AG086404-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868316. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*