Identifying cognitive impairment in older adults after critical illness
Official title: Screening for Cognitive Impairment Following Critical Illness: Designing and Testing an Implementation Program to Support High Risk Older Adults
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10909938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how serious illnesses can affect thinking skills in older adults after they leave the ICU, and it aims to create a helpful program to spot any memory or thinking problems early so that patients and their families can get the right support and care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $149,996 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AG073529-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have experienced critical illness and are at risk for cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced critical illness or who are younger than 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how critical illnesses can lead to cognitive impairments, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease, in older adults. It aims to develop and test a program that will help screen these patients for cognitive issues after they leave the intensive care unit (ICU). By using a combination of Medicare claims data and electronic health records, the research will create a prediction model to identify those at risk for cognitive decline. The goal is to connect patients and caregivers with necessary support and care recommendations to improve outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and intervention for cognitive impairments in older adults, ultimately improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in screening for cognitive impairments following critical illness, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palakshappa, Jessica Ann — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Palakshappa, Jessica Ann
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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.