Advancing Reliable Measurement in Thinking and Decision-Making in Older Adults
Official title: ARMCADA - Advancing Reliable Measurement in Cognitive Aging and Decision-making Ability
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11304579 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A network-led effort to improve how we measure decision-making abilities in aging adults, especially related to memory and everyday choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,804,185 |
| NIH project number | 5U24AG082022-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304579 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who may experience changes in decision-making abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without age-related cognitive changes or those not involved in decision-making contexts may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
As we age, making important medical, financial, and legal decisions can become more challenging. This grant aims to create and validate better tools to measure decision-making capacity in older adults, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The researchers will build a national research network, adapt and test measurement methods, and establish norms so clinicians and caregivers can identify early changes in decision-making abilities. By focusing on practical, real-world tasks and assessments, this work could help detect decline earlier and guide support for independence and safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to earlier identification of decision-making difficulties and better-tailored support for aging individuals and their families.
How similar studies have gone: Existing work suggests measurement and screening of cognitive and daily functioning can improve early detection, but comprehensive decision-making assessments in aging are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gershon, Richard — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Gershon, Richard
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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.