Creating a tool to identify mild cognitive impairment and early dementia in home healthcare patients
Official title: Development of a Screening Algorithm for Timely Identification of Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Dementia in Home Healthcare
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11130068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new tool to help home healthcare providers spot early signs of mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia, so that patients can get the care they need more quickly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,973 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG076808-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly patients receiving home healthcare who may be experiencing early signs of cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced dementia or those not receiving home healthcare services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a screening algorithm to help identify patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia (ED) in home healthcare settings. It aims to overcome barriers to timely diagnosis by utilizing data from electronic health records and audio recordings of patient-clinician interactions. By analyzing this data, the research seeks to create an effective tool that can assist healthcare providers in recognizing early symptoms of cognitive decline. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that those affected receive appropriate care sooner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment for patients with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, significantly improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using data-driven approaches for early diagnosis of cognitive impairments, indicating that this method could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zolnoori, Maryam — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zolnoori, Maryam
Related research
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Insomnia, Depression, and Sleep Medications in Mild Cognitive Impairment Leading to Dementia
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Age-related Dementia and Brain Pathology in the Oldest-Old: A Long-Term Lifecourse Study
A large, long-running study is following people aged 90 and up to understand how Alzheimer’s disease and related brain changes develop over many years.
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Screening tool to flag mild cognitive impairment and early dementia in home healthcare
A new AI-based screening tool analyzes everyday speech during home healthcare visits to help identify older adults who may have mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
-
Cochlear Implants for Hearing Loss and Memory in Older Adults
This project looks at how cochlear implants and hearing aids help older adults with age-related hearing loss and memory concerns in their daily lives.
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.