Exploring how aging affects attention and memory using virtual reality
Official title: Utilizing naturalistic virtual environments to assess age-related alterations of attention and episodic memory
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10976428 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects attention and memory by using virtual reality games, and it's for older adults who want to understand how these changes might impact their ability to remember and navigate spaces.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 10, 2022 |
| Project end | December 9, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,892 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AG071263-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976428 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related cognitive changes, particularly in attention and memory.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing age-related cognitive decline or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between age-related changes in attention and episodic memory through the use of virtual reality environments. By employing VR spatial navigation tasks, the study aims to understand how diminished attention in older adults impacts their ability to navigate and remember spatial contexts. Participants will engage in tasks that measure their attention and memory performance, while eye-tracking and pupillometry will provide insights into their attentional processes. The findings could help identify specific cognitive deficits associated with aging and inform strategies to enhance memory and navigation skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for enhancing memory and navigation abilities in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using virtual reality to assess cognitive functions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tran, Tammy — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Tran, Tammy
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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.