How education affects cognitive health in older adults
Education and Cognitive Functioning in Later Life: The Nation’s High School Class of 1972
This study is looking at how education affects brain health as we get older, especially for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, by talking to a group of individuals from the Class of 1972 to see how their schooling might influence their thinking skills and risk for dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10900682 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between education and cognitive functioning in later life, particularly focusing on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By following a diverse group of individuals from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972, the study aims to understand how educational experiences influence cognitive health and biological markers of dementia risk. The research involves in-home interviews and cognitive assessments to gather comprehensive data on participants' educational backgrounds and cognitive outcomes as they age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who were part of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 and are now in later life.
Not a fit: Patients who did not participate in the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease through targeted educational interventions.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of this research is novel in its specific focus on education and cognitive outcomes in later life, similar studies have shown the importance of educational attainment in cognitive health.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muller, Chandra L — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Muller, Chandra L
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.