HABS-HD Project 3: How Environment and Culture Shape Alzheimer’s Biomarkers
Official title: HABS-HD - Project 3
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11412509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins-like project (HABS-HD Project 3) aims to understand how where people live and their social lives influence Alzheimer’s biomarkers and brain aging in order to improve prevention and care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,404 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG078109-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk for or affected by AD/ADRD, especially in diverse U.S. populations where exposome and sociocultural factors differ.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to the studied environmental or sociocultural factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates how environmental and sociocultural exposures affect cognitive aging and AD biology, building on prior AT(N) biomarker work. It uses population-level data to identify exposome factors (like neighborhood conditions) and sociocultural influences that relate to A/T/N biomarkers and cognitive decline. The work focuses on finding modifiable pathways that could inform prevention strategies and healthcare/community interventions. The study emphasizes real-world factors and aims to translate findings into actionable community and system-level changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted prevention efforts and community-level solutions that reduce AD risk and support healthier aging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that biomarker patterns can relate to environmental and social factors, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Leigh a — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Leigh a
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.