Investigating brain aging and cognitive decline in older African Americans
Official title: MRI markers of brain aging and risk factors for cognitive decline in older African Americans
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-10408780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cultural and social factors affect brain health and memory in older African Americans, using brain scans to see how these factors might relate to the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and it’s designed for older adults who want to help us understand these important connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $688,168 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG056405-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10408780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older African Americans who may be experiencing cognitive decline or are at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of African American descent or those who do not have concerns about cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how culturally relevant psychosocial factors contribute to cognitive decline and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older African Americans. Using MRI technology, the study will examine changes in brain structure and function over time, linking these changes to cognitive performance. By exploring these connections, the research aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the higher rates of cognitive impairment in this population. Participants will undergo repeated assessments to track their cognitive health and brain integrity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and targeted interventions for cognitive decline in older African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on cognitive decline in general, this study's focus on culturally relevant psychosocial factors in African Americans is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnes, Lisa L — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Barnes, Lisa L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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BA-UMAP: Understanding cognitive aging in Black adults using remote assessments
A large US study follows 600 Black adults aged 55+ over several years to understand how biopsychosocial factors relate to cognitive change, using online surveys, remote cognitive tests, and optional saliva/urine samples.
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Understanding Memory and Aging in Black Adults
This effort aims to learn more about why Alzheimer's disease and related memory problems are more common in Black adults by looking at various health and social factors.
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Investigating early life stress and its effects on brain aging and cognitive decline
This study looks at how tough experiences early in life can speed up brain aging and affect thinking skills, using monkeys to find clues that might help us help people who have gone through similar stress.
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Understanding how aging affects brain function, walking, and thinking skills
This study is looking at how getting older affects your brain health, walking, and thinking skills, especially for those who might be starting to have some memory or thinking challenges, to find ways to help improve your quality of life as you age.
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Understanding how aging affects brain function, walking, and thinking skills
This study looks at how getting older affects your brain health, walking, and thinking skills, especially for older adults who might be starting to have some memory issues, to find ways to help improve their quality of life and prevent falls and dementia.
-
How inflammation-linked metabolism affects memory loss in aging and Alzheimer's
Looking at whether blocking an inflammatory signal outside the brain can fix immune-cell metabolism and help memory in older adults and people with Alzheimer's.
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.