How Green Spaces in Your Neighborhood Affect Brain Health
Green space and cognitive health: the role of community design in environmental health
This project explores how living near green spaces might help protect your brain health and prevent conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128521 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are a growing concern, and finding ways to prevent them is a top priority. We believe that features of your neighborhood, such as access to green spaces, could play a role in maintaining brain health. Green spaces may help by reducing stress, improving mood, encouraging physical activity, and offering chances for social connection. This work will look at how changes in neighborhood green spaces are connected to how well people's brains function over time and whether they experience cognitive decline. We also want to understand if improvements to green spaces are truly helpful for residents, especially in areas that are changing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for anyone interested in how their living environment might influence their long-term brain health, particularly those concerned about Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate medical treatments or interventions for existing cognitive conditions would not directly benefit from this observational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to community design strategies that help prevent Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at a population level.
How similar studies have performed: While some studies suggest a link between green space and health, this project specifically explores the impact of changes in green space on cognitive function, which is a less understood area.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madrigano, Jaime — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Madrigano, Jaime
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.