Investigating healthy aging and longevity in Costa Rica's older adults
Official title: Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES): Wave 4
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11054391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what helps older adults in Costa Rica live healthier and longer lives, and it’s for people aged 70 and up who want to share their health experiences and undergo some simple health checks to help us learn more about Alzheimer’s and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $627,212 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG091512-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Costa Rican adults aged 70 and older, along with their spouses, regardless of age.
✕Less likely to help
Patients younger than 70 years or those not residing in Costa Rica may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the factors contributing to healthy aging and longevity among older adults in Costa Rica. It involves conducting long-term follow-up interviews with individuals aged 70 and older, as well as their spouses, to gather comprehensive health data and cognitive assessments. Participants will undergo physical health measurements and provide blood samples for biomarker analysis. The study aims to enhance knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through detailed cognitive evaluations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for promoting healthy aging and preventing cognitive decline in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in studying longevity and health outcomes in Costa Rica, indicating the potential for valuable insights from this ongoing investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dow, William H. — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Dow, William H.
Related research
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A Stanford-led study looks at how state and county spending in childhood may influence midlife thinking skills and the risk of dementia in later life.
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A Duke University study will look at how healthy aging is linked to molecules produced by gut bacteria, with a focus on people who might be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
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.