Exploring how life experiences can help protect against dementia in older adults in India
Official title: Non-educational sources of later-life cognitive reserve and resilience among older adults with and without formal education in India
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10936855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how things like having a job, good friendships, and being active in your community can help older adults in India, especially those without formal education, keep their minds sharp and lower the chances of developing Alzheimer's and other memory issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,222,489 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG087965-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 45 and above living in India, especially those with little to no formal education.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 45 or those with advanced stages of dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how factors like employment, social relationships, and community engagement can contribute to cognitive reserve in older adults, particularly those without formal education in India. By analyzing cognitive function data and biological markers, the study aims to identify modifiable factors that can help slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The research will focus on a diverse population, aiming to understand how these experiences can provide protective benefits against cognitive impairment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing cognitive health and reducing dementia risk in older adults, particularly those with limited educational backgrounds.
How similar studies have gone: While the focus on non-educational sources of cognitive reserve in this specific demographic is novel, similar studies have shown that social and occupational factors can positively influence cognitive health.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kobayashi, Lindsay C — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kobayashi, Lindsay C
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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.