Exploring how depression affects brain health and cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Official title: Clarifying the association of depressive symptoms with cortico-limbic tau, cerebral blood flow, neurodegeneration, and longitudinal cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11054506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how depression might affect brain health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, helping us understand if and how it could speed up memory problems and possibly lead to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,711,908 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG091718-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with mild cognitive impairment who also experience symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without mild cognitive impairment or significant depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between depressive symptoms and brain changes in older adults who have mild cognitive impairment. It focuses on how tau protein accumulation, cerebral blood flow, and neurodegeneration relate to cognitive decline and depression. By examining these factors, the study aims to clarify the role of depression in accelerating cognitive decline and its potential links to dementia. Participants will undergo assessments to measure their depressive symptoms and brain health over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for depression in older adults, potentially slowing cognitive decline and reducing dementia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between depression and cognitive decline, but this specific approach focusing on tau protein and cerebral blood flow is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackin, Robert Scott — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Mackin, Robert Scott
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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.