Brain scans and genes may unlock early Alzheimer's detection

NCT ID NCT04696315

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: Ying Han Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.

First seen Aug 21, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Summary

This study investigates whether combining brain imaging, genetic, blood, and cognitive data can help identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people who report memory concerns but score normally on tests. Researchers will compare participants from Germany and China to build a diagnostic model that works across different backgrounds. The goal is to improve early detection of preclinical Alzheimer's, potentially leading to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Diagnostic model combining MRI, genetic, blood, and clinical data using machine learning algorithms
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a reliable early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease, enabling earlier intervention and better management.
What could go wrong: The trial is exploratory and relies on complex data integration; the model may not generalize across different populations or prove accurate enough for clinical use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

800 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2021

Finished

Dec 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

SCD may serve as a first symptomatic indicator during the preclinical stage of AD. SCD with amyloidopathy had a risk of progressing to AD dementia. In this study, all participants from two centers in Germany and China will be classified into two groups (SCD with amyloid+ and SCD with amyloid-) based on the amyloid PET. In addition, the participants will conduct multiple parameter MRI scanning, clinical data collection, blood biomarkers and gene examination. The investigators aim to reveal the common risk factors associated with amyloid deposition based on clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic information from two countries.

Ages: 60 to 79 years
Sex: Anyone

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 60-79 years old, right-handed and Mandarin-speaking subjects; * self-experienced persistent decline in cognitive capacity in comparison with a previously normal status and unrelated to an acute event; * normal age-, gender- and education-adjusted performance on standardised cognitive tests; * concerns (worries) associated with memory complaint; * failure to meet the criteria for MCI or dementia Exclusion Criteria: * a history of stroke; * major depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score \> 24 points); * other central nervous system diseases that may cause cognitive impairment, such as Parkinson's disease, tumors, encephalitis and epilepsy; * cognitive impairment caused by traumatic brain injury; * systemic diseases, such as thyroid dysfunction, syphilis and HIV; * a history of psychosis or congenital mental growth retardation

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease subjective cognitive decline

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE GENE NEUROIMAGING SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of Neurolgy, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100053, China

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