PAR-25-065
Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Summary
PAR-25-065: Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Dementia
Research Focus
This funding opportunity targets mechanistic research on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS)—including aggression, psychosis, anxiety, apathy, depression, agitation, sleep disturbances, and wandering—in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). NPS accelerate functional decline and nursing home placement, yet few pharmacological treatments exist. The funder seeks biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences research that identifies neurobiological, behavioral, and social mechanisms underlying NPS to enable novel treatment development and identify modifiable therapeutic targets.
Research should integrate multiple levels of analysis—combining neuroimaging, neurophysiology, gene expression, epigenetics, and behavioral intervention research—and employ dimensional constructs from the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative or compatible approaches. Studies examining neural circuits, circadian rhythm disruptions, emotion processing, prior psychiatric history, passive sensing technology, biomarkers of treatment response, and unmet care needs (medical comorbidities, pain, hydration, socialization) are encouraged. Both basic neuroscience models and translational approaches to understanding NPS pathophysiology are supported. Mechanistic clinical trials examining evidence-based treatment mechanisms are acceptable.
At-a-Glance
- Who can apply: Not stated (see NIH standard eligibility for R01 grants)
- Funding & project length: Not stated in excerpt
- Award mechanism: R01 Research Project Grant (companion R21 available for high-risk/high-payoff projects with limited preliminary data)
- Key dates: Open January 5, 2025; due dates February 5, 2025 through June 5, 2026 (rolling cycles); earliest start dates December 2025–April 2027
- Best fit for: Neuroscience, geriatric psychiatry, gerontology, and dementia research using multi-level mechanistic approaches; populations with AD/ADRD across cognitive severity ranges
Key Facts
Deadline
Mon, September 7, 2026
Posted
Mon, November 18, 2024
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (2)
Applications must employ RDoC-compatible dimensional approaches and cannot use simple patient-vs-control designs if a dimensional construct is the primary psychopathology variable; study design must e
95%
Source Text
“Under this NOFO, if an RDoC or other dimensional construct is proposed to serve as the primary variable representing psychopathology (as opposed to using a diagnostic characterization), the study design and sampling plan must be such as to assure that an adequate number of individuals assessed as falling within the more severely impaired ranges of that dimension will be included in the study.”
Applications assessing NPS mechanisms at only a single level of observation/analysis (without combining multiple levels/methods such as genetic, cellular, brain circuit, physiological, behavioral, sel
98%
Source Text
“Applications that assess potential NPS mechanisms at only a single level of observation and analysis (i.e., without combining multiple levels/methods such as genetic, cellular, brain circuit, physiological, behavioral, self-report).”