Investigating how daily activities and social factors affect Alzheimer's disease in older adults
Official title: Life-space, isolation, and functional exposome study in preclinical Alzheimer's disease and cognitive environments (LIFESPACE)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11134283 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your daily activities and social connections might affect brain health in older adults with Alzheimer's, using smartwatches and activity trackers to gather helpful information that could lead to earlier detection and better support for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $730,089 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG089700-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134283 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above, particularly those who may be experiencing early signs of cognitive impairment or social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those who do not have any cognitive impairment or social isolation issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between daily activities, social isolation, and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. By using digital tools like smartwatches and activity trackers, the study aims to collect data on how lifestyle factors influence cognitive health. Researchers will analyze this data to identify patterns that may indicate preclinical Alzheimer's disease and assess how social and environmental factors impact these patterns over time. The goal is to improve early detection and intervention strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better early detection methods for Alzheimer's disease and improved strategies to enhance the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using digital markers to assess cognitive health, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babulal, Ganesh M — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Babulal, Ganesh M
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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.