How physical activity throughout life affects brain health and resilience to Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Physical activity over the adult life course and cognitive resilience to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10989888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types and amounts of exercise throughout adulthood can help keep your brain healthy and strong as you get older, especially in relation to Alzheimer's and other memory issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $107,152 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AG080119-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who are interested in maintaining or improving their cognitive health through physical activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not aged 65 or older or those who have existing severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how engaging in physical activity at different stages of adulthood can influence cognitive resilience against Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to understand the relationship between the frequency and type of physical activity and cognitive function, particularly in older adults. By analyzing data from the Framingham Heart Study, the research will employ advanced statistical and machine learning methods to identify patterns and correlations. The goal is to determine if certain physical activities can help maintain cognitive health as people age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted physical activity recommendations that enhance cognitive resilience and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the positive effects of physical activity on cognitive function, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Phillip — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Phillip
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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.