How socioeconomic factors affect cognitive decline through accelerated aging
Official title: Accelerated Epigenetic Aging as a Mechanism in Lifespan Socioeconomic Effects on Midlife Cognitive Decline
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11049629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a person's financial and social situation throughout their life affects their thinking skills as they get older, especially in middle age, and it aims to find out how these factors might be connected to conditions like Alzheimer's Disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $794,978 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG086346-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who have experienced varying levels of socioeconomic disadvantage throughout their lives.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced significant socioeconomic disadvantage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how socioeconomic conditions throughout a person's life influence cognitive decline, particularly in midlife. It aims to understand the timing and mechanisms of these effects by examining different models of socioeconomic disadvantage exposure. The study will focus on accelerated epigenetic aging as a biological link between socioeconomic factors and cognitive health. By analyzing data over time, the research seeks to uncover how these factors contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's Disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cognitive decline by addressing socioeconomic factors early in life.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific link between accelerated epigenetic aging and socioeconomic factors has not been extensively tested, related research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive decline.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reed, Rebecca G — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Reed, Rebecca G
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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.