NIH-funded research R01 grant

Dimensional Complexity as a Brain Biomarker for Resilience in Aging and Dementia

Official title: Dimensional Complexity as a Biomarker for Resilience in Aging and Dementia (DC-RAD)

Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11426661 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A biomarker from resting-state brain scans may help predict which people are likely to stay cognitively healthy as they age.

More Aging research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHenry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2026
Project endJune 30, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$624,029
NIH project number1R01AG102936-01
Project IDNIH-11426661 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Older adults at risk for cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s-type dementia, who could undergo MRI and related assessments.

Less likely to help

Individuals without risk factors or those unable to undergo MRI may have limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

This project tests whether a novel brain-measure called Dimensional Complexity (DC), derived from resting-state fMRI, can forecast cognitive resilience in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Using large datasets like ADNI and rrAD, the team will build and validate a DC-based prognostic model and see if it identifies who benefits most from vascular risk reduction and exercise. The work also aims to uncover the biological basis of DC by linking it to physiological markers. If successful, DC could become a tool to personalize preventative strategies for aging individuals with cognitive risk. Participation would involve imaging and related assessments in well-characterized cohorts.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If DC proves reliable, it could guide personalized prevention plans to preserve cognition in aging adults.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show promise for brain-complexity metrics in predicting cognitive trajectories, but this specific DC biomarker is in validation stages.

Where this research is happening

  • Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
    East Lansing, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Scheel, Norman — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Scheel, Norman

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.