Do common PFAS chemicals raise dementia risk by changing blood fats and blood vessels?
The role of PFAS in lipid-mediated vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia: PFAS VascCog Longitudinal Study
This project looks at whether exposure to common PFAS chemicals raises the chance of memory decline and dementia in older adults by changing blood fats and blood vessel health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262223 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'd be part of a long-term effort using stored blood samples and clinical follow-up from the Northern Manhattan Study, a multi-ethnic group followed for more than 25 years (about 1,290 people). Researchers will measure 13 common PFAS chemicals in blood taken at two time points and calculate each person's overall PFAS burden. They will link PFAS levels to changes in blood lipid levels, signs of atherosclerosis, and carefully adjudicated cognitive outcomes while accounting for diet and kidney function. The team wants to see whether PFAS increase dementia risk through effects on lipids and vascular disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults represented in the Northern Manhattan Study—older, multi-ethnic individuals with archived blood samples and long-term cognitive follow-up.
Not a fit: Children, people without archived samples or not part of the NOMAS cohort, and those without vascular risk data are unlikely to be enrolled or directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the findings could identify PFAS exposure as a modifiable risk factor and inform prevention strategies, screening, and public-health or regulatory actions to reduce dementia risk.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies suggest PFAS affect lipids and may influence cognition, but evidence is limited and inconsistent, making this longitudinal biomarker approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gardener, Hannah — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gardener, Hannah
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 below.