Investigating how social challenges and pesticide exposure affect cognitive health in mid-life Latina women.

Life-course social adversity, pesticide exposure, and cognitive outcomes among an ongoing cohort of mid-life Latina women in an under served agricultural region

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10852981

This study is looking at how tough life experiences and exposure to pesticides affect the thinking skills of Latina women in their middle years who live in farming areas, with the goal of understanding their risk for Alzheimer's and similar conditions, so we can find better ways to support their brain health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10852981 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how life-course social adversity and pesticide exposure influence cognitive outcomes among mid-life Latina women living in underserved agricultural regions. By examining a cohort of approximately 550 women, the study aims to identify the unique impacts of these factors on the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The approach includes detailed assessments of both social and environmental exposures, which are often overlooked in existing research. The findings could inform targeted interventions to improve cognitive health in this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are mid-life Latina women, particularly those living in agricultural areas with high pesticide exposure.

Not a fit: Patients who are not Latina or those who do not live in agricultural regions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among Latina women.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically addressing these combined factors, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding cognitive health disparities among different populations.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.