Airborne Metals, Brain Health, and Memory in Older Adults
Airborne metals, neurodegeneration, and dementia in the Adult Changes in Thought study
This project explores how tiny airborne metal particles might contribute to memory loss and dementia in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Medford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11120917 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring if small metal particles in the air can enter the brain through the nose and lead to changes linked to dementia. Our team will examine brain tissues from participants in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) program who have generously donated their brains for research. We will also use long-term health information from thousands of ACT participants to see if exposure to these airborne particles is connected to developing dementia over time. This work aims to uncover new ways that our environment might impact brain aging and memory.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data and donated brain tissue from older adults who participated in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study.
Not a fit: Patients not enrolled in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study would not directly participate in this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand environmental risk factors for dementia, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention.
How similar studies have performed: While the link between air pollution and dementia is an active area of research, this project uniquely focuses on specific metal particles and their entry pathways into the brain.
Where this research is happening
Boston, UNITED STATES
- Tufts University Medford — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suh, Helen — Tufts University Medford
- Study coordinator: Suh, Helen
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 below.