KI researcher Giulia Grande has received a Starting Grant from the Swedish Research Council to study blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. The project will investigate whether analysing many proteins together can improve detection and provide a clearer picture of how the disease develops.
Blood tests that can detect biological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease have developed considerably in recent years. But Alzheimer's disease and dementia are complex conditions in which several biological processes may be involved. Measuring only one or two biomarkers may therefore provide only part of the picture.
More than 100 proteins in one blood sample
In the new project, the researchers will use technologies that can measure more than 100 proteins in a single blood sample. They will combine data from research settings in Sweden, Spain and Italy and study people at different stages, ranging from people without cognitive impairment to patients with dementia.
"By studying these proteins together, rather than individually, we hope to better understand the different biological processes involved in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, particularly in older adults, where several pathological processes often coexist and contribute to cognitive decline," says Giulia Grande , Assistant Professor at the Aging Research Center (ARC) , Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society .
More personalised approaches to dementia care
The researchers will investigate whether these broader biomarker profiles can help detect Alzheimer's disease earlier, distinguish between different forms of dementia and provide a better understanding of disease progression. In the longer term, the research could contribute to more accurate diagnoses and more personalised dementia care.
Another exciting aspect of this project is its international dimension. By bringing together several European cohorts, the researchers will have the opportunity to strengthen their collaborations with research groups at the forefront of Alzheimer's disease biomarker research, combining different expertise and perspectives.
What does this grant mean for you personally?
"It is particularly meaningful at this stage of my career, as it allows me to further develop my independent research line, expand my team, and open new opportunities for the future. It is also a wonderful recognition of the work we have done over the past few years, together with the many colleagues and collaborators who have contributed along the way," says Giulia Grande.
The project Mapping blood biomarker profiles across the Alzheimer's disease spectrum to improve disease detection and staging will officially start in 2027. One of the first steps will be to hire a postdoctoral researcher. The team will also begin generating new blood biomarker measurements in the SNAC-K study, while working with their collaborators in Spain and Italy to coordinate the analyses across the different cohorts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the colleagues and collaborators who have contributed to developing this research line over the years. Research is always a team effort, and I feel very fortunate to work with such talented and supportive people, both at Karolinska Institutet and internationally," says Giulia Grande.
