TRC-LATE Study
For Researchers
Study design, cohort goals, eligibility pathways, measures, and site information for researchers, clinicians, and collaborators interested in TRC-LATE.
Study overview
TRC-LATE is a multi-site, NIH-funded observational cohort study designed to improve detection of Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy and support readiness for future LATE clinical trials. The study builds on Alzheimer Disease Research Center infrastructure across five academic medical centers.
420
Target discovery cohort participants
5
Participating research sites
5
Years of follow-up
NIA
Funded by the National Institute on Aging
Research aims
TRC-LATE pursues three connected scientific goals to advance diagnosis, biomarker development, and trial readiness.
AIM 1
Validate diagnostic markers
Evaluate neuropsychological and imaging markers associated with LATE, including disproportionate memory impairment, hippocampal atrophy on MRI, and FDG-PET hypometabolism patterns.
AIM 2
Discover novel biomarkers
Study candidate biomarkers, including plasma phosphorylated TDP-43, hippocampal asymmetry, digital speech markers, and composite risk scores to predict LATE neuropathology during life.
AIM 3
Advance trial readiness
Use recruitment science, surveys, and optional interviews to identify barriers and facilitators to participation in future LATE and combined LATE/Alzheimer’s clinical trials.
Eligibility pathways
TRC-LATE recruits older adults through participating Alzheimer Disease Research Centers. Enrollment is organized through two pathways.
Standard pathway
Age requirement: age 85 or older.
Cognitive status: cognitively unimpaired with subjective memory complaints, cognitively unimpaired with evidence of hippocampal atrophy on MRI, mild cognitive impairment with amnestic features, or dementia with an amnestic predominant syndrome.
Amyloid status pathway
Age requirement: age 75 or older.
Additional requirements: cognitively impaired with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and amyloid-negative based on existing PET or fluid biomarker results.
Because LATE can currently be confirmed only through neuropathological examination, consent to post-mortem brain examination is required for all participants.
What participation involves
The study is designed for longitudinal follow-up with annual in-person visits and selected remote assessments.
Clinical and cognitive testing
Annually. Standardized clinical assessments and neuropsychological testing using the UDS battery plus FTLD module assessments.
Blood collection
Annually. Plasma biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and DNA for genomic analyses.
MRI brain imaging
Annually. Multi-sequence MRI to track brain structure over time.
FDG-PET imaging
Every 2 years. FDG-PET scans measure brain glucose metabolism and support characterization of neurodegenerative patterns.
Remote cognitive testing
Every 6 months. Ecological momentary assessment includes short cognitive tasks completed at home.
Trial planning and surveys
Annually. Surveys and optional interviews help researchers design effective and inclusive future LATE studies.
Study sites & leadership
TRC-LATE is conducted across five academic medical centers, coordinated by the University of California, Irvine.
University of California, Irvine
Coordinating site
University of California, San Diego
Participating site
University of Southern California
Participating site
University of Washington
Participating site
Oregon Health & Science University
Participating site
Funded by:
National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health
Study period:
September 2025 – June 2030
Research questions or referrals
For site questions, referral discussions, or collaboration inquiries, contact the TRC-LATE study team.