Alzheimer's risk and resilience in Black Americans over 20 years
ADRD risk and resilience among Black Americans: A 20-year longitudinal study
Following Black adults over 20 years to find life, health, and social factors that raise or lower their risk for Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11367304 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project analyzes 20 years of follow-up from Black Americans who took part in a national survey in 2001–2003 to see how life experiences affect thinking and memory as people age. Researchers will link information on health, education, neighborhood, stress and discrimination, family background, and other psychosocial factors to later measures of cognitive function. The work uses existing survey data and statistical analyses rather than testing new treatments. Results are intended to identify modifiable risk and protective factors that could inform culturally relevant prevention and care for Black communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People represented in the original National Survey of American Life—primarily Black American adults first interviewed in 2001–2003 and followed into middle and older age—are the focus of this work.
Not a fit: Those who are not Black American adults or who were not part of that original national survey (for example recent arrivals or younger teens) are unlikely to be directly represented by these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to social, behavioral, or medical factors that communities and clinicians can target to prevent or delay dementia in Black Americans.
How similar studies have performed: Large, long-term population studies have helped identify dementia risk factors before, but long, nationally-representative 20-year analyses focused specifically on Black Americans are relatively uncommon.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mezuk, Briana — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Mezuk, Briana
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.