Investigating psychological factors and brain aging in American Indians
Official title: Psychological risk factors, quality of life, community, and brain aging in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study
Funded at Huntington Medical Research Institutes · NIH-11127300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress and depression might impact thinking skills and the chances of developing Alzheimer's and related conditions in American Indian adults, with the goal of finding ways to improve their overall health and community connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Huntington Medical Research Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $817,817 |
| NIH project number | 7RF1AG071677-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian adults who may be experiencing psychological stressors or are at risk for cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as American Indian or those without psychological risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how psychological risk factors, such as stress and depression, affect cognitive performance and the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in American Indian adults. By evaluating the relationships between these psychological factors and cognitive decline over time, the study aims to identify protective factors that could improve health-related quality of life and community connectedness. The research will utilize established longitudinal cohort studies to gather data and inform prevention strategies for ADRD in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for Alzheimer's Disease and enhance the quality of life for American Indian adults.
How similar studies have gone: While research on cognitive decline in diverse populations exists, this specific focus on American Indian adults and the interplay of psychological factors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Huntington Medical Research Institutes
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suchy-Dicey, Astrid M — Huntington Medical Research Institutes
- Study coordinator: Suchy-Dicey, Astrid 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.