# Patient and Family Member Reactions to Biomarker-Informed ADRD Diagnoses

> **NIH NIH RF1** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2023 · $638,000

## Abstract

REVISED PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) hold immense potential to impact clinical care of patients with cognitive
disorders. However, the potential burdens and benefits of AD biomarker testing must be carefully balanced.
Several studies of the personal implications of such testing have found that disclosing AD biomarker results does
not cause clinical depression, anxiety, or suicidality. Most of this evidence has been derived from samples
comprised of highly educated, cognitively healthy, persons who were scanned as part of a research protocol.
There is pressing need to move beyond investigations of the psychological safety of disclosing biomarker results
to highly selected research participants, to develop an understanding of the full range of burdens and benefits of
AD biomarker testing in real-world populations. The proposed study is designed to optimize remote participation
for individuals participating in AD biomarker testing in studies and clinics across the country. We will recruit 500
individuals participating in AD biomarker testing to enroll in a 6-month observational study to address the
following Specific Aims. Aim 1. Quantify the range and patterns of emotional response to a biomarker-informed
cognitive diagnosis, and determine which clinical or demographic factors are associated with specific responses.
Aim 2. Characterize the “value of knowing” one’s AD biomarker status among symptomatic patients and their
immediate family members. Aim 3. Identify the information and support needs of families receiving biomarker-
informed cognitive diagnoses. Our overarching hypothesis is that responses to biomarker-informed ADRD
diagnoses are heterogeneous and associated with distinct clinical and sociodemographic factors. This study will
advance the field’s understanding of real-world patient and family reactions to biomarker-informed ADRD
diagnoses, providing critical information for directing post-diagnostic resources to monitor and support those
most in need. Findings will inform best practices in the rapidly evolving state-of-the-art diagnostic evaluation of
cognitive impairment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11393642
- **Project number:** 7RF1AG080591-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Joshua Grill
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $638,000
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2023-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11393642

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11393642, Patient and Family Member Reactions to Biomarker-Informed ADRD Diagnoses (7RF1AG080591-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11393642. Licensed CC0.

---

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