Car-based monitoring to spot early memory and thinking changes
Official title: Smart driving technology for non-invasive detection of age-related cognitive decline
Funded at Tf Health Corporation · NIH-11185442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small sensor and AI system placed in a car that watches driving and health signals to spot early memory and thinking changes in older adults who drive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tf Health Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fountain Hills, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $831,790 |
| NIH project number | 2R44AG078063-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11185442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who regularly drive and are concerned about memory or thinking changes, especially older adults or those with mild cognitive symptoms, would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not drive, have severe physical disabilities that prevent driving, or do not want in-car sensors are unlikely to benefit from participating.
What this research studies
You would have a small, unobtrusive sensor package and companion app added to your car that records driving patterns and some biometric signals during everyday trips. The system uses AI to look for driving behaviors and physiologic signs that research links to early memory and thinking problems. The device is designed to work with many car makes and to run continuously without changing your routine. Study staff will compare the driving-based signals with standard memory and thinking tests to check how well the system finds early changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If it works, this could identify early cognitive changes from normal driving so people can get help or plan sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked driving behavior to mild cognitive impairment, but fully integrated, car-based commercial sensor systems remain novel and are still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Tf Health Corporation
Fountain Hills, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsow, Francis — Tf Health Corporation
- Study coordinator: Tsow, Francis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
NGF Metabolism as a biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are studying whether patterns in nerve growth factor pathways in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's in people with genetic risk.
-
NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
-
NGF Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at nerve growth factor pathways in people with a genetic form of Alzheimer's to see if blood and spinal fluid markers can identify early brain changes before symptoms appear.
-
Optimizing a closed-loop digital meditation to help cognitive aging and stress in older adults
A mobile, personalized meditation program is being tested to help older adults maintain thinking skills and lower stress.
-
Cash transfers in South Africa to reduce dementia risk in later life
This project tests whether government cash transfers in rural South Africa help protect people’s thinking and memory as they age.
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.