How life experiences affect the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Wisconsin longitudinal study: Initial lifetime's impact on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (WLS-ILIAD)

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11041083

This study looks at how different social experiences throughout life, like support from family or facing challenges, can affect a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's and related dementias, helping us understand how these factors influence brain health as we age.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11041083 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of social advantages and adversities throughout a person's life on their risk and resilience to Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. By analyzing a large dataset that tracks individuals from birth to older age, the study aims to uncover how various social factors influence the onset of dementia. Participants will be monitored for cognitive changes and the presence of Alzheimer's biomarkers as they age, providing valuable insights into the relationship between life experiences and dementia risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults, particularly those who have experienced varying levels of social advantage or adversity throughout their lives.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or those without a history of social disadvantage may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of how social factors influence Alzheimer's risk, potentially guiding preventive strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the social determinants of health related to dementia, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Madison, 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.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementia
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.