How being responsible in relationships can help protect against dementia
Official title: A mechanistic and dyadic approach to identify how interpersonal conscientiousness supports cognitive health and lowers risk of dementia
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-10739837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being responsible and caring in relationships can help older adults keep their minds healthy and lower their chances of developing dementia, and it aims to find ways to boost these qualities to support better brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,300,176 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG083878-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10739837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those who are at risk for dementia or cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for cognitive decline or who are already diagnosed with advanced dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of interpersonal conscientiousness, a personality trait characterized by responsibility and dutifulness in relationships, in supporting cognitive health and reducing the risk of dementia. The study aims to identify how this trait can serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. By examining the interpersonal aspects of conscientiousness, the research seeks to uncover new intervention strategies that could promote healthier cognitive outcomes before the onset of dementia. Participants may engage in assessments and interventions designed to enhance their interpersonal conscientiousness and monitor its effects on cognitive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing dementia and improving cognitive health in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that conscientiousness is linked to better health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sutin, Angelina R — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Sutin, Angelina R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
Synthetic protein mimetics to treat Lewy Body Dementia
A new therapeutic approach using engineered protein-like molecules to block the harmful protein clumps that cause Lewy Body Dementia.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a US survey for use in many countries
A study is adapting and testing a survey for dementia care workers in the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why workers stay in their jobs and how to improve care.
-
Dementia care staff study: adapting a survey for use in many countries
A multinational study will adapt and test a U.S. dementia-care worker survey in Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why staff stay in or leave long-term care settings.
-
Study of Dementia Care Staff in 4 Countries: Adapting Caregiver Surveys Across Cultures
A multinational project will adapt and test a dementia care worker survey so researchers can compare care environments across the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana.
-
New biomarkers to distinguish LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in dementia
A study to develop blood and CSF tests that can tell apart LATE from Alzheimer’s disease in people with dementia.
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.