BA-UMAP: Understanding cognitive aging in Black adults using remote assessments
Official title: The Black American United Memory & Aging Project (BA-UMAP): An examination of cognitive decline in midlife and older Black adults using remote cognitive assessments, risk factors & biomarkers
Funded at North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ · NIH-11375515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large US study follows 600 Black adults aged 55+ over several years to understand how biopsychosocial factors relate to cognitive change, using online surveys, remote cognitive tests, and optional saliva/urine samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greensboro, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $713,083 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079388-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375515 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 55 and older who identify as Black or African American and are able to participate in remote assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who cannot participate remotely or do not meet age criteria may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project enrolls Black adults 55 and older and collects data remotely to track how thinking abilities change over time. Participants complete online questionnaires about health, social, and environmental factors and take cognitive tests from home each year. At baseline and year 4, non-invasive saliva and urine samples are collected to support biomarker analyses. The study aims to identify which factors are linked to faster or slower cognitive decline and how remote testing preferences may affect participation and results. Overall, the goal is to improve understanding and engagement to reduce disparities in Alzheimer’s-related outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform culturally tailored approaches to early detection and remote monitoring of cognitive decline in Black adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior remote cognitive study designs have shown feasibility and value in tracking cognitive changes, though this project specifically targets a large Black adult population.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
Greensboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown-Hughes, Travonia S — North Carolina Agri & Tech St Univ
- Study coordinator: Brown-Hughes, Travonia S
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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.