Exploring how environmental factors during childhood affect brain development related to Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: Understanding the developmental impact of environmental risk factors on brain and cognitive systems vulnerable to Alzheimers disease in children
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11075542 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like stress and family income during pregnancy and childhood might affect the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease later on, and it hopes to find ways to help kids grow up healthier and protect their memory and thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F99NS139537-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075542 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0 to 16 years who may be exposed to various environmental risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or are over the age of 16 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental risk factors during critical developmental periods in childhood may influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. By examining prenatal and childhood exposures, such as stress and socioeconomic status, the study aims to understand their impact on brain systems associated with memory and cognitive function. The goal is to identify early interventions that could potentially reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Participants will undergo assessments to measure their environmental exposures and cognitive development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early interventions that help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in future generations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of early life environmental factors on cognitive development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramirez, Meghan — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ramirez, Meghan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetic, behavior, and vascular data
Aims to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in middle-aged South Asians by combining genetic, lifestyle, and vascular information to catch early changes before dementia develops.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetics, behavior, and vascular data
Aimed at people 21 and older, this project looks at how biology, behavior, and blood vessel health together may signal the early risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in South Asians.
-
Sex-specific blood biomarkers predict dementia risk in older adults
This NIH project tests how blood biomarkers and sex differences predict future dementia in older people, with the goal of personalized prognosis and prevention.
-
How sleep and body temperature affect Alzheimer's risk in adults with Down syndrome
Researchers will follow adults with Down syndrome over several years to learn whether sleep problems and lower body temperature are linked to earlier Alzheimer's changes.
-
Sleep and body temperature changes linked to Alzheimer’s risk in adults with Down syndrome
This project looks at whether sleep problems and lower body temperature in adults with Down syndrome are linked to higher chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Sex-specific blood biomarkers to predict Alzheimer's and related dementias
This project aims to use blood biomarkers to predict risk of Alzheimer's-related conditions in older adults, with attention to how sex differences may change risk.
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.