Tools and Resources to Understand Pathophysiology with Post-Mortem Studies of in vivo Neuroimaging Findings in AD and ADRD

Summary: Neuroimaging and histopathology represent two cornerstone methodologies in the study of age-related cognitive impairment and dementia, each offering unique and complementary insights into underlying disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. With the advancement of noninvasive imaging techniques aimed at probing the causal pathways and enabling robust early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD–related dementias (ADRD), there is a growing need for postmortem validation studies to confirm the pathological underpinnings of early imaging biomarkers – particularly those related to vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Although postmortem MRI has emerged as a valuable bridge between imaging and pathology, significant technical and methodological challenges persist. This workshop aims to foster the advancement and sharing of cutting-edge technologies, methodologies, and biomedical materials that bridge human neuropathology with neuroimaging research. By capitalizing on rare post-mortem data, the event seeks to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying imaging markers of AD/ADRD. We are requesting funds to support the “Tools and Resources to Understand Pathophysiology with Post-mortem Studies of in vivo Neuroimaging Findings in AD and ADRD” workshop which will take place on August 13-14, 2026, in New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York. The workshop has three specific aims. Aim 1: Bring together thought leaders and experts in the area of post-mortem AD research to advance the field and accelerate the pace of discovery; Aim 2: Foster career development in the field of neuroimaging and neuropathology of age-related dementias, supporting recruitment of new ideas and innovations in this uniquely growing research discipline; and Aim 3: Raise public awareness of and communicate the value of new tools, resources, and biomaterials of neuroimaging and neuropathology research in AD and ADRD to a broader audience. To achieve these aims, the program includes: (i) optimized protocols for postmortem imaging and histopathology; (ii) multidisciplinary topics—including forensic medicine—addressing postmortem interval (PMI) and fixation effects; (iii) daily presentations by Early Career Investigators and trainees selected from abstracts; (iv) new ideas and emerging leaders in VCID research from both in vivo and pathology perspectives at four dedicated panel discussions; (v) hands-on training and demonstrations of advanced tools developed across collaborative sites, including hemisphere imaging, multi- contrast/multi-scale registration, and proteomics; and (vi) shared access to pre- and postmortem MRI data and digital biomaterials for the research community. This unique workshop will serve as a vital forum for idea exchange, fostering new collaborations, and cultivating the next generation of postmortem researchers. Additionally, it aims to advance the translation of ex vivo findings into clinical diagnostics and therapeutic strategies that contribute to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Project Number: 1R13NS149699-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) | Principal Investigator: Yulin Ge (+1 co-PI) | Institution: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, NEW YORK, NY | Award Amount: $20,000 | Activity Code: R13 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 SCIL-T (80)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11392678