NIA Psych-AD Program

PsychAD Consortium

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease.

Supported by NIA grant R01AG067025

1,494
Unique donors
6.3M+
Single nuclei
8+
Brain disorders
3
Brain sources
12
Companion studies

Goal of the Project

A single-cell view of the molecular complexity of brain disease

The PsychAD Consortium seeks to deepen our understanding of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), related dementias (ADRD), and serious mental illnesses (SMIs) by exploring shared and distinct biological pathways underlying these disorders. By combining epidemiological data with advanced multi-omic and systems biology approaches, PsychAD aims to uncover biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of NPS.

Using a large autopsy dataset, the consortium builds high-resolution, single-cell models to examine gene expression across genetic, developmental, and disease-related dimensions. These models reveal cell-specific pathways that influence NPS and disease progression, offering valuable insights for precision medicine. Ultimately, PsychAD strives to create a foundational framework for targeted, cross-disorder treatments that address the molecular complexity of AD, ADRD, and SMIs.