Examining how neighborhood disadvantage affects cognitive aging and Alzheimer's risk in African American communities

Longitudinal Examination of Neighborhood Disadvantage, Cognitive Aging, and Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Disinvested, African American Neighborhoods

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11248937

This study is looking at how living in less wealthy neighborhoods affects brain health and the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease in African Americans, by following over 1,100 people to see how things like stress and sleep problems play a role.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11248937 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of living in disinvested neighborhoods on cognitive aging and the risk of Alzheimer's disease among African Americans. By following a cohort of over 1,100 residents from two predominantly African American communities, the study aims to understand how factors like socioeconomic conditions, exposure to discrimination, and adverse childhood experiences contribute to cognitive decline. The researchers will analyze how these neighborhood factors influence health outcomes, particularly focusing on the role of stress and sleep disruption in mediating Alzheimer's risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American adults living in historically disinvested neighborhoods.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in the targeted neighborhoods or who are not of African American descent may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that improve cognitive health and reduce Alzheimer's risk in African American populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that neighborhood factors significantly influence health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.