Climate heat and Alzheimer's risk in older adults
Official title: Ambient Outdoor Heat and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Risk: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Vulnerability in Older Adults
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11580320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Heat exposure may influence brain health and dementia risk in older adults living in the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG090817-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11580320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (50+) in the U.S., especially those in diverse communities, with or at risk for ADRD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to extreme heat or without risk factors for ADRD may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how extreme outdoor heat affects the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in diverse adults aged 50 and older. It combines long-term climate data with neighborhood characteristics and health study information to see if hotter days are linked to cognitive decline or dementia markers. The research uses a nationally representative study to explore how personal and community factors modify heat-related brain health risks. The K99/R00 phase will develop Dr. Choi’s leadership in interdisciplinary methods that connect climate science with dementia biology and social context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform public health strategies to protect older adults from heat-related cognitive decline and dementia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links extreme heat to health risks, but its connection to ADRD risk is still being explored and this study offers a novel, integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Eunyoung — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Choi, Eunyoung
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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.