How culture affects learning and decision-making as we age
Influence of Culture on Learning and Decision Making with Age
This study is looking at how growing older affects thinking and memory in people from American and Taiwanese backgrounds, and it’s for older adults who want to understand how their culture might influence their brain health as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10549800 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how cultural backgrounds, specifically American and Taiwanese, influence cognitive aging in older adults. By comparing younger and older individuals from these cultures, the study uses behavioral assessments and neuroimaging techniques like fMRI to observe changes in cognition over time. The research will follow participants for three years to track how aging impacts their decision-making and memory, aiming to identify potential early signs of cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease. This approach helps to understand whether aging effects are truly universal or vary significantly across cultures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 and above from American or Taiwanese cultural backgrounds.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 60 or do not identify with American or Taiwanese cultures may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to culturally tailored interventions that improve cognitive health and decision-making in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that cultural factors can significantly influence cognitive processes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Waltham, United States
- Brandeis University — Waltham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutchess, Angela — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Gutchess, Angela
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.