Cataract Surgery and its Possible Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Official title: Using Informatics to Evaluate and Predict Cataract Surgery Impact on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Mild Cognitive Impairment Outcomes
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11392946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether fixing vision through cataract surgery could influence the progression and onset of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $729,414 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG072582-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cataracts who are at risk for or have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, including those with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Results may be less applicable for individuals with advanced dementia or those whose vision loss is due to non-reversible conditions.
What this research studies
If you have or are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, this project looks at whether improving sight with cataract surgery might lessen cognitive decline over time. Researchers will use informatics to analyze patient data and predict how cataract surgery could affect dementia outcomes, aiming to identify who may benefit most and when surgery should occur. The study is based at Stanford University and will involve modeling relationships between vision improvement, cognitive trajectories, and ADRD risk. The team will also search for factors that might modify these effects, such as other health conditions or treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help doctors personalize cataract treatment to help maintain cognitive function in at-risk patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show associations between vision impairment and dementia risk, but this project aims to clarify whether cataract surgery can influence dementia outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pershing, Suzann — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Pershing, Suzann
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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.