Environmental stressors and dementia risk across diverse populations
Official title: Role of Environmental Stressors as POtential drivers of Dementia and stroke RESPOnD
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11362356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study asks how everyday environmental stressors like pollution, noise, and access to green spaces affect dementia and stroke risk in adults aged 21 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $743,256 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS139186-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older, especially individuals from diverse or historically underserved communities who may experience higher environmental stress exposure.
✕Less likely to help
General population with minimal environmental exposure differences or those not represented in the cohorts may see less direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze data from three large U.S. cohorts over up to 20 years to understand how multiple environmental factors together influence vascular risk and ADRD. The project aims to quantify the combined impact of housing, neighborhood, and external exposures on cognition and health outcomes in diverse groups. By focusing on real-world exposures rather than a single factor, it seeks to reveal why some sub-populations bear higher ADRD risk and how prevention could be tailored. The long-term goal is to identify modifiable environmental targets to reduce stroke and ADRD risk across communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform community and policy actions to reduce environmental risks and help lower ADRD and stroke risk in susceptible populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked individual environmental factors to vascular risk, but this project tests their combined effects, which is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pescador Jimenez, Marcia Ixchel — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Pescador Jimenez, Marcia Ixchel
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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.