How brain reserve helps protect thinking and daily function in aging
Brain pathologies, reserve and cognition in aging and dementia
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-11307136
Looking at how lifestyle, brain changes, and brain scans relate to why some older adults keep thinking clearly despite Alzheimer-related changes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307136 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project follows more than 700 people from four long-term cohorts to learn why some older adults maintain thinking and everyday functioning despite Alzheimer-related brain changes. Researchers use advanced brain imaging to measure neurodegeneration, vascular brain injury, and amyloid plaques, and link those scans with prospectively collected midlife lifestyle and health data. The study intentionally includes a large multi-racial and multi-ethnic sample and uses discovery-based imaging methods to identify brain resources that support resilience. Results are intended to point to modifiable behaviors and biological targets that help people stay cognitively healthy as they age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults, including people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who have midlife lifestyle or health data, are the best matches for this work.
Not a fit: People with very advanced dementia or those who are not part of the recruited cohorts are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this observational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to lifestyle changes and biological targets that reduce the impact of Alzheimer-related changes and help people stay mentally sharp longer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies suggest cognitive reserve and lifestyle links to resilience, but this project applies newer imaging methods and larger, more diverse cohorts to build stronger evidence.
Where this research is happening
DAVIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS — DAVIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TOMASZEWSKI-FARIAS, SARAH E — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- Study coordinator: TOMASZEWSKI-FARIAS, SARAH E
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease