Automated system to track contacts of dementia patients during infectious disease outbreaks
Official title: Automated Contact Tracing System for Rapid High-Accuracy Assessment to Management Dementia Patients and Staff Exposed to Infectious Diseases in Long Term Care Facilities
Funded at Aster Labs, INC. · NIH-10694029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a smart system to help keep residents in long-term care facilities for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias safe from infections by making it easier to track who has been in contact with someone who might be sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aster Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shoreview, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,158,940 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AG072957-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10694029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are residents of long-term care facilities who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in long-term care facilities or do not have dementia may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an automated contact tracing system specifically designed for long-term care facilities housing patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The system aims to accurately identify and manage exposure to infectious diseases, which is crucial given the vulnerability of this population. By utilizing advanced algorithms, the project seeks to streamline the contact tracing process, reducing the reliance on manual tracking that can be inefficient and prone to errors. The approach addresses the unique challenges faced by dementia patients, such as memory limitations and communication difficulties, to ensure effective management of potential outbreaks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the safety and health outcomes of dementia patients in long-term care facilities during infectious disease outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: While automated contact tracing has been explored in other contexts, this specific application for dementia patients in long-term care settings is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Aster Labs, INC.
Shoreview, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheikh, Suneel Ismail — Aster Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sheikh, Suneel Ismail
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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.