Improving brain health to prevent Alzheimer's disease after kidney transplants
Official title: Cognitive prehabilitation to prevent Alzheimer's disease after kidney transplantation
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10978225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain exercises can help older people who have had a kidney transplant stay sharp and lower their chances of getting Alzheimer's or other memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $151,740 |
| NIH project number | 5K02AG076883-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 50 and above who have undergone or are about to undergo kidney transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 50 years old or those who have not received a kidney transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cognitive prehabilitation can help older kidney transplant recipients reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It focuses on understanding the cognitive decline that many patients experience after transplantation and aims to implement interventions that may preserve cognitive function. By analyzing data from previous studies and conducting new trials, the research seeks to identify effective strategies to support brain health in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in older kidney transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in cognitive interventions for older adults, suggesting that this approach may be effective in preventing dementia in kidney transplant recipients.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcadams Demarco, Mara a. — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Mcadams Demarco, Mara a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.