Executive Function Training in Older Adults: What Helps It Work
Official title: Mediators and Moderators of Executive Function Training in Older Adults
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11398936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how different ways of delivering brain-training exercises affect older adults, including those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, to see what helps people stick with training and improve thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $601,914 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089508-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 60+ who are at risk for ADRD or with age-related cognitive concerns may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to training resources or those not interested in cognitive training may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project plans to enroll 1,250 adults aged 60 and older to compare various executive function training approaches (single vs multicomponent, standard vs gamified, and standard vs added coaching). Researchers will collect a large, open dataset to measure adherence, engagement, and multiple outcomes related to executive function. By using common outcome measures across training types, the study aims to identify which ingredients make training more reliable and valid. The work addresses the gap between promising lab results and real-world use in older adults who may be at risk for ADRD. If successful, findings could guide practical brain-training programs that people can realistically follow at home or in clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal which training approaches best support adherence and improve executive function in older adults, potentially helping people maintain cognitive skills longer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows mixed results; this project aims to clarify which training ingredients work best across many participants.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaeggi, Susanne M — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Jaeggi, Susanne M
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Mediators and Modulators of Executive Function Training in Older Adults
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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.