How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
Official title: Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 infection and genetic variation on the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in Ancestral and Admixed Populations
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11617103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,823,594 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AG076581-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older, with emphasis on those 65 years and older and individuals of diverse ancestral backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals who do not experience COVID-19 infection or who do not have the specific genetic or ancestral backgrounds studied.
What this research studies
Researchers will follow diverse groups of adults aged 21 and older, focusing on those 65 and up, to see how COVID-19 infection interacts with genetic variation to influence cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s-related conditions over time. The project will collect neurological assessments, cognitive tests, brain imaging, and blood biomarkers at three time points: soon after infection, about 18 months later, and about 36 months later, using harmonized procedures across sites in the US, Africa, and South America. By pooling data from multi-ancestry cohorts, the study aims to understand how ancestry and genetics shape the brain’s response to COVID-19 in the context of aging and dementia risk. The work builds on established international cohorts and includes newly recruited Amerindian participants to enrich diversity and statistical power. Overall, the study seeks to reveal biological links between viral exposure, genetics, and later cognitive health to inform risk assessment and future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of who is at higher risk for COVID-19–related cognitive problems and dementia, guiding preventive strategies and personalized care.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies have shown that infections and genetics can influence cognitive aging, but this project expands to multi-ancestry cohorts and longitudinal biomarker data.
Where this research is happening
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University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Erausquin, Gabriel Alejandro — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: De Erausquin, Gabriel Alejandro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How COVID-19 and genetics influence memory and dementia risk in older adults
This project studies how getting COVID-19 interacts with people’s genetic makeup to affect the likelihood of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults from diverse backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
This project will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
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How COVID-19 and genetics may affect memory and Alzheimer’s risk in diverse older adults
The team will compare memory tests, brain scans, blood markers, and genes in older adults with and without COVID-19 to learn how infection and genetic differences relate to later memory loss and Alzheimer's risk.
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How COVID-19 and genetics affect cognitive decline and Alzheimer's risk in older adults
This study is looking at how getting COVID-19 and our genes might affect brain health and the risk of memory problems or Alzheimer's in older adults, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and it involves tests to track changes over time.
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Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
This research looks at how COVID-19 may contribute to dementia by studying brain inflammation, blood vessel injury, and virus-host interactions, with the goal of finding existing drugs that could help.
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.