Investigating how air quality and living conditions affect social isolation and cognitive function in rural communities at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: The Role of Air Quality and Built Environment in Social Isolation and Cognitive Function among Rural, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Residents at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11084529 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how air quality and the places we live can affect feelings of loneliness and memory problems in older adults in rural Florida who might be at risk for Alzheimer's disease, and it involves tracking daily activities and social interactions over five years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $803,761 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083925-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084529 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged and older adults living in rural Florida who are dementia-free but at risk for cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the impact of air quality and the built environment on social isolation and cognitive decline among racially and ethnically diverse residents in rural Florida who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study will involve recruiting middle-aged and older adults from five communities, focusing on their social interactions and cognitive health over a five-year period. Participants will wear Apple watches to track their daily activities and sensory data, while researchers will also assess community-level environmental factors. The goal is to understand how these elements contribute to cognitive risks in a vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for reducing social isolation and cognitive decline in at-risk populations, potentially delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on rural, disadvantaged, ethnic minority residents is novel, previous studies have shown that environmental factors can significantly impact cognitive health.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiese, Lisa Ann — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Wiese, Lisa Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how daily activity patterns affect memory and dementia risk
This project looks at how a full day of activities – including sleep, light and moderate exercise, and sitting time – might influence thinking skills and the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
-
Aging fat cells and their impact on memory and Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are looking at whether aged, harmful cells in body fat send signals that damage the brain and speed memory loss in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
-
SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
-
Understanding how sleep problems in older couples relate to thinking skills and Alzheimer's risk
This project looks at how insomnia in older couples may influence memory and thinking over time, with the goal of better understanding Alzheimer’s disease progression.
-
Hippocampal neurogenesis and its link to memory in Alzheimer’s disease
This study investigates whether new brain cells form in the hippocampus of people with Alzheimer’s and how this may relate to memory and cognitive decline.
-
How air quality and neighborhood design affect thinking and social connection in rural older adults
This project uses wearables and daily surveys to look at whether air pollution, local neighborhood features, and social isolation affect thinking and memory in middle-aged and older rural adults.
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.