Addressing Alzheimer’s and related dementias and metal exposure in older adults in Bangladesh
Official title: Enhancing Research Capacity for Addressing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) and Metal-Induced Cognitive Decline in an Aging Cohort in Bangladesh
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11232593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how lifetime exposure to metals might influence memory loss and dementia risk in people aged 65 and older in Bangladesh, with the goal of finding early blood biomarkers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $735,598 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG089644-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+ years) in Bangladesh and similar settings, with varying levels of metal exposure, who are part of the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study or similar cohorts.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not exposed to the studied metals or not in the target cohort may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
Researchers will use data and biospecimens from a large Bangladeshi cohort to study how chronic metal exposure relates to cognitive aging and ADRD risk. They will look for neuron-derived extracellular vesicle microRNAs in blood as potential early biomarkers of metal-related brain changes. The study builds on an existing long-term cohort with repeated samples and detailed environmental exposure data to identify who is most at risk and how to detect changes before dementia develops. This work aims to inform prevention and early intervention strategies that could preserve independence and quality of life in aging populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to earlier detection of ADRD risk and inform prevention strategies for people exposed to neurotoxic metals.
How similar studies have gone: Related studies have shown that metal exposure can affect cognitive aging, and biomarker work in ADRD is progressing, but validation of neuron-derived EV miRNAs as early markers remains emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parvez, Muhammad F — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Parvez, Muhammad F
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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.