Emerging Environmental Exposures and Brain Aging in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
Official title: PRE3BAD: Preclinical Research on Emerging Environmental Exposures, Brain Aging, and Dementia
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11393169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research investigates how pollutants like wildfire smoke, microplastics, and heavy metals may speed up brain aging and contribute to Alzheimer’s and related dementias in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,934,332 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AG088557-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable because this grant is preclinical and population-level in design; human participation is not specified in the abstract.
✕Less likely to help
There is no direct patient participation required for this preclinical study.
What this research studies
As people age, they face longer and more intense exposure to environmental pollutants. This project studies how these exposures could trigger neuroinflammation, disrupt the blood-brain barrier, and change brain metabolism, potentially increasing dementia risk. Using preclinical and early-life exposure models, the team aims to map how different pollutants interact with aging to influence neurological outcomes. The goal is to identify which environmental factors are most linked to neurodegenerative changes so that prevention strategies can be developed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to stronger public health protections and strategies to reduce environmental risk factors for dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Emerging evidence links air pollutants and metals to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, but the field is still evolving with promising but inconclusive results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campen, Matthew J — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Campen, Matthew J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Long-term Effects of a Natural Disaster on Cognitive Aging and Dementia in Older Adults
This project follows older adults affected by a major natural disaster to understand how long-term stress may influence aging, memory, and risk for dementia.
-
Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
A long-term study in South Africa follows adults 40 and older to understand how aging affects dementia and Alzheimer’s, using surveys, cognitive tests, and biomarkers.
-
Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
A long-term study in South Africa follows adults as they age to understand how dementia and Alzheimer’s affect people in LMIC settings.
-
Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
A long-term study in South Africa follows adults as they age to better understand dementia and related factors.
-
CEDAR Center: a new hub to advance dementia and aging research in New Mexico
A new building at UNM Health Sciences Center will bring researchers, healthcare providers, and community members together to accelerate dementia and aging studies in New Mexico.
-
Genetic causes of age-related TDP-43 changes and mixed dementia
This project looks for gene differences that help explain why older adults develop TDP-43–related and mixed dementias.
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.