Identifying cognitive impairment in older adults after critical illness

Screening for Cognitive Impairment Following Critical Illness: Designing and Testing an Implementation Program to Support High Risk Older Adults

NIH-funded research Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10909938

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909938 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have experienced critical illness and are at risk for cognitive impairment.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced critical illness or who are younger than 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Winston-Salem, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.