Impact of Long-Term ICT Use on Dementia Risk in Rural Seniors
Official title: The Impact of Cumulative Information and Communication Technology Use on Dementia Risk: A 10-Year Study of Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Funded at University of Memphis · NIH-11287582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 10-year study will look at how everyday technology use (phones, computers, internet) affects dementia risk among rural adults aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Memphis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $365,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG098448-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11287582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults 65+ living in rural communities who were dementia-free at study start (2015) and willing to participate in long-term observational research.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without sustained ICT engagement or with advanced dementia may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows rural, community-dwelling older adults who were dementia-free in 2015 to see how their use of smartphones, computers, and online services relates to dementia risk over a decade. Researchers will use NHATS data to track ICT use, health, and neighborhood factors like broadband access and social connectedness. The team will combine several methods to understand how personal and community characteristics interact with ICT use to influence cognitive health over time. The goal is to identify patterns that could inform strategies to support healthy aging in rural areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide interventions and policies to promote equitable ICT access and cognitive health in rural seniors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous short- or medium-term studies suggest ICT use relates to cognitive outcomes, but long-term rural-focused data are limited and this study aims to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Memphis
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Yong — University of Memphis
- Study coordinator: Yang, Yong
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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.