Cognitive Function and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
Official title: Project 1 - Cognitive Function and Dementia
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11399312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in South Africa aims to understand how dementia develops and affects people as they age, using harmonized surveys and biomarkers so findings can help people in similar settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $384,670 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG041710-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 40 and older in South Africa who are part of the HAALSI cohort and its enriched substudies (including those undergoing neuropsychological testing, imaging, and biomarker collection).
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not enrolled in the HAALSI cohort or its neuroimaging/biomarker substudies may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project follows a large group of adults in South Africa to map how thinking abilities change over time and what leads to dementia. It uses standardized, internationally comparable tests, brain imaging, and blood biomarkers to study ADRD in a way that can be compared with other countries. The study expands previous data with more follow-up waves to better identify what drives cognitive decline. Results will help scientists and clinicians plan better prevention and care strategies for aging populations in LMICs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to earlier detection, better understanding of risk factors, and improved prevention and care strategies for dementia in sub-Saharan Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large, harmonized studies have successfully characterized dementia trajectories and identified risk factors in diverse populations, supporting the potential for meaningful results here.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berkman, Lisa F — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Berkman, Lisa F
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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.