Tools and resources to understand the vascular pathophysiology of in vivo neuroimaging findings in ARIA (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Background
The purpose of this Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementia (ADRD) initiative is to promote the development and distribution of innovative technologies, methods, protocols, and biomedical materials that enhance combined human neuropathology and neuroimaging research with data aimed at understanding the underlying pathophysiology of in vivo imaging results typically associated with vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) in TBI-related dementia and other ADRD diagnoses. Under the 2011 National Alzheimer's Projects Act (NAPA), the first goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease is to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD). Starting in 2012, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have held research summits triennially to assess research priorities and set research implementation milestones for the ADRDs, which include frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), multiple etiology dementias (MED), and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). The NINDS ADRD Summits in 2019 and 2022 resulted in the current ADRD research priorities for advancing the state-of-the-science toward meeting Goal 1 of the National Plan.

Grant Details
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop and share resources that advance and expand community-wide research capacity for performing joint neuropathological and neuroimaging analysis. Resources developed under this NOFO include tools and techniques, such as innovative technologies, methods, protocols, and biomedical materials.
Resource development topics of interest include:
- Streamlined approaches that reduce postmortem intervals
- Methods or techniques for MR data acquisition of fresh tissue
- Innovative fixation techniques that reduce MR signal loss
- Techniques that enable improved neuropathological analysis of regions demonstrating vascular neuropathology / MR signal abnormalities
- Development of analytical MR models to better understand disease processes and neuropathology findings
- Development of common coordinate systems or improved co-registration techniques for co-registration of MR and neuropathology images
- Development of standardized procedures and/or acquisition techniques to facilitate co-registration across sites
- Comparisons of various types of techniques to demonstrate which lead to the best preservation of the tissue, MR signal, and genetic material
- Development of atlases to be used in co-registering MRI and neuropathology images
- Development and discovery of biomedical materials such as new antibodies for staining and processing brain tissue
- Development of novel MR sequences suitable for detecting neuropathology in postmortem or ex vivo tissue.

Eligibility Requirements
All organizations administering an eligible parent award may apply for a supplement under this NOFO. Eligible organizations include:
- Higher education institutions such as public/state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status
- Small businesses
- Local governments; state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; Indian/Native American tribal governments; federal government agencies; U.S. territory or possession entities; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations; faith-based or community-based organizations.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is five years. The earliest start date is May 31, 2024. The expiration date is June 03, 2024.

Grant Value
NIH intends to commit a total budget of up to $4,500,000 per year to fund up to three awards for up to five years contingent upon NIH appropriations.