# Core-001

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2020 · $206,930

## Abstract

The Biomarker Core (Core B) of the P01 “Vascular Contributions to Dementia and Genetic Risk Factors
for Alzheimer’s Disease” will provide services, resources and expertise on biomarkers of the neurovascular
unit (NVU) for Projects 1-3 and all P01 investigators. Since the overall design of this program includes
individuals with genetic risk for late-onset AD (APOE4 carriers) and early, autosomal dominant AD (ADAD)
(PSEN1 mutation carriers) and a novel rat model of AD with early vascular changes (line TgF344-AD) and
controls during aging and/or different experimental conditions, this core will provide the essential, quantified
molecular measures relatable to the imaging and cognitive measures collected as part of this program. The
Biomarker Core has developed a novel panel of multiple molecular biomarkers that integrate NVU cell- and
system-specific biomarkers with established AD biomarkers (Aβ, tau, pTau) to simultaneously determine
biomarkers of vascular/blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury in relation to inflammatory, neuronal injury, and Aβ and
tau biomarkers in both human and rat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma (Projects 1 and 3). Existing
strengths of our core include decades of experience and knowledge in studying the NVU, BBB and
cerebrovascular system, and a more recent experience over the past two years working closely with the Meso
Scale Discovery (MSD) scientists to develop reliable and simultaneous measurements of multiple NVU
biomarkers in human and rat biofluid for all pilot data analyses in Projects 1 and 3 using the ultrasensitive
electrochemiluminescent MSD multiplex platform that is up to 2-3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than
ELISA or other multiplex platforms. Our strengths also include existing and established collaborations with
clinical site investigators participating in the P01 including: 1) USC ADRC (Chui, Schneider, Law); 2)
Washington University Knight ADRC (Morris, Fagan, Benzinger); 3) Huntington Medical Research Institutes
(HMRI) (Harrington); and 4) Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN) including Washington University
site (Morris, Fagan) and USC site (Ringman, former UCLA site moved to USC 5/15); as well as with Project 1,
2, and 3 investigators - laboratories of Drs. Zlokovic, Nation, Pa, Toga, Town, Thompson, Dong and Jacobs
(CalTech). Core B has provided simultaneous measurements of different NVU biomarker categories in CSF for
all pilot data analyses in APOE4 and PSEN1 mutation carriers and non-carriers and TgF344-AD rats and
controls, and has determined subjects’ APOE genotype. Under the leadership of Dr. Zlokovic and the
resources available at USC Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Core B will 1) Coordinate and standardize collection,
processing, and delivery of biofluid samples at different sites; 2) Assay CSF and plasma simultaneously for
NVU biomarkers and conduct APOE genotyping; 3) provide further technological developments, and 4)
facilitate data management, requests and distribution to proj...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9963131
- **Project number:** 5P01AG052350-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** ARTHUR W TOGA
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $206,930
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9963131

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9963131, Core-001 (5P01AG052350-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9963131. Licensed CC0.

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