A new way to measure physical activity's impact on brain health and Alzheimer's risk
Official title: A novel physical activity metric predicts cognitive and brain aging and ADRD risk
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10950084 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way you move and stay active might help predict changes in thinking and memory as we age, especially for those at risk of Alzheimer's and similar conditions, using special devices to track daily activities in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $154,858 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG088612-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950084 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults who are at risk for cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for cognitive decline or who have advanced Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a novel metric for physical activity, known as 'PA complexity', can predict cognitive decline and the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By using accelerometers to objectively measure daily activity patterns, the study aims to identify early changes in functional capacity and motor dysfunction that may be linked to brain aging. The research will analyze data from a diverse older population to explore connections between physical activity complexity, cognitive function, and brain health. This approach could provide valuable insights into how lifestyle factors influence Alzheimer's risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or delaying cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease through targeted physical activity interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that objective measures of physical activity can provide insights into cognitive health, suggesting that this novel approach may yield significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cai, Yurun — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Cai, Yurun
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.