How life circumstances affect memory and thinking in people with end-stage kidney disease

Social Determinants of Health, Resilience, and Premature Cognitive Aging in End-stage Renal Disease

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11326343

Researchers will look at how social and economic factors relate to memory and thinking problems across adults with end-stage kidney disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11326343 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be represented through national dialysis registry and Medicare health records that link neighborhood and socioeconomic measures to memory tests and dementia diagnoses among adults with end-stage kidney disease. The team uses 14 indicators across economic stability, education, housing, and other social domains together with patients' medical data to identify signs of premature brain aging. They will compare patterns by age and race to understand why many dialysis patients, especially Black patients, develop memory problems earlier. The work analyzes existing records and registries rather than testing new medications, aiming to point to social or care targets that could protect thinking and memory.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (age 18 and older) with end-stage renal disease, especially those receiving dialysis and included in the national ESRD registry or Medicare, are the focus of this work.

Not a fit: People without end-stage kidney disease, children, or those seeking an immediate treatment option for dementia are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal social and health-care targets to reduce early memory loss and better support cognitive health in people on dialysis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown high rates of cognitive problems in dialysis patients, but linking multiple social determinants to premature cognitive aging in this group is a newer approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.