How traumatic stress throughout life affects memory and brain health in older adults
Effects of lifecourse traumatic stress on late-life cognitive decline, dementia, and neuroimaging biomarkers
This study is looking at how stress from difficult experiences in life might affect memory and thinking skills as we get older, especially in relation to Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, and it hopes to find ways to help protect brain health based on things like race, gender, and education.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166682 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of traumatic stress experienced throughout a person's life on cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. It aims to understand how early-life trauma can influence brain changes and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias later in life. By using advanced statistical methods, the study will analyze neuroimaging data and cognitive assessments to identify individual factors that may modify these effects, such as race, gender, and education. The goal is to uncover potential resilience factors that could help mitigate the negative impacts of trauma on brain health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults who have experienced traumatic events at any point in their lives, particularly those from groups disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced significant traumatic stress or who are not in late life may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or delaying cognitive decline and dementia in older adults who have experienced trauma.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on late-life neurological outcomes related to lifecourse traumatic stress is relatively novel, there is existing research indicating that trauma can affect cognitive health, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayes-Larson, Eleanor Louise — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Hayes-Larson, Eleanor Louise
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.