AgeWISE Action Plan to support brain health for older Veterans
Official title: Aging Well through Interactions and Scientific Education - Action Plan (AgeWISE-AP)
Funded at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital · NIH-11220702 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program teaches older Veterans about brain aging and helps them make personalized action plans to increase brain-healthy habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bedford, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004828-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11220702 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older Veterans aged 65 and older who are interested in learning about brain aging and willing to participate in education sessions and create a personal action plan.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced dementia or severe cognitive impairment who cannot engage in educational sessions or follow an action plan may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would get clear, easy-to-understand education about normal versus disease-related brain aging and practical tips for lifestyle changes that protect brain health. The program adds a one-on-one action-plan step where staff help you create and follow a personalized plan to do more brain-healthy activities. Participants are randomly assigned to receive the AgeWISE-Action Plan or usual care, and the team will track changes in how often you do those activities and your psychological well-being. The goal is to make small, achievable changes that fit your life and help you feel more in control of your brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help older Veterans increase brain-healthy behaviors and improve mood and sense of control over aging.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds on the earlier AgeWISE program and adds a new individualized action-plan component, which is now being tested for added benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
Bedford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Maureen Katheleen — Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Maureen Katheleen
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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.