Boosting thinking skills like attention and planning in older adults
Mediators and Moderators of Executive Function Training in Older Adults
This project tests different kinds of brain-training programs to help adults 60 and older keep memory, attention, and planning skills sharper.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11385866 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join one of several brain-training programs where researchers compare single-task versus multi-task exercises, gamified versus standard formats, and programs with or without added coaching. About 1,250 adults aged 60 and older will take part and complete the same set of thinking and memory tests so outcomes can be directly compared. The team will track how well people start and stick with the programs (initiation, implementation, and adherence) and measure any changes in everyday thinking and memory. All results will be shared in an open dataset to help other researchers and guide better brain-training products.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults aged 60 or older who are noticing age-related memory or thinking changes or who are concerned about risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
Not a fit: People younger than 60, those with advanced dementia requiring medical care, or those seeking immediate drug treatments may not benefit from a behavioral training trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show which training features actually help older adults maintain thinking skills and which features improve people’s ability to stick with programs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous brain-training trials have produced mixed results, so this large, standardized comparison aims to clarify which approaches and features are most helpful.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaeggi, Susanne M — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Jaeggi, Susanne M
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.