NIH-funded research R01 grant

Dynamic cognitive health from everyday online surveys in dementia research

Official title: Dynamic Cognitive Phenotyping Using Digital Survey Paradata for Early Detection of Cognitive Decline in Dementia Research

Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11450394 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A big study uses everyday online surveys to read how people’s thinking changes over time, with the goal of spotting early signs of dementia.

More Dementia research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 15, 2020
Project endMay 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$696,458
NIH project number2R01AG068190-06
Project IDNIH-11450394 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults participating in the Understanding America Study who consent to cognitive monitoring through online surveys.

Less likely to help

Individuals who do not participate in online surveys or who have no risk for cognitive decline may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project uses digital survey paradata, like how quickly people answer questions and patterns in responses, to track short-term changes in cognitive functioning in people at risk for dementia. By analyzing over 700 biweekly survey waves from the Understanding America Study, researchers will build time-based profiles of cognitive performance across multiple domains. These dynamic phenotypes aim to reveal subtle fluctuations that traditional one-off tests might miss, helping identify when cognitive health starts to decline. The work continues from an earlier study that showed these response patterns can predict dementia onset, now focused on refining and validating these dynamic measures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier detection of cognitive decline and more timely interventions for people at risk of dementia.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown that survey response patterns can predict cognitive decline, supporting further development of dynamic phenotypes.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Schneider, Stefan — University of Southern California
  • Study coordinator: Schneider, Stefan

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.