How migration affects dementia risk in Mexican American adults
A Multilevel Investigation of Migration and Dementia Risk Among Mexican Americans
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11176836
This project looks at whether migration experiences, lifetime stress, and biological changes raise dementia risk for Mexican American adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176836 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will follow Mexican American adults across the US–Mexico migration corridor and gather information about their migration histories, social experiences, and health. They will combine interviews and surveys with medical records and blood tests that measure inflammation and markers of biological aging. The team will apply statistical methods designed to separate the effects of migration itself from selection factors that influence who migrates. Together these approaches aim to show how migration-related stress and socioeconomic conditions might accelerate aging and increase Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Mexican American adults—particularly middle-aged and older people with a history of migration between Mexico and the United States—who can share their life and health histories and provide blood samples.
Not a fit: People without Mexican heritage or migration experience, or those unable or unwilling to provide health information or samples, are unlikely to be directly involved or to receive immediate benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify high-risk groups and biological pathways to guide prevention or earlier detection for Mexican American communities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked stress, inflammation, and accelerated biological aging to dementia risk, but using a multilevel, migration-focused approach in Mexican Americans is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZEKI AL HAZZOURI, ADINA — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: ZEKI AL HAZZOURI, ADINA
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer's disease and related dementia