Investigating the link between late-onset epilepsy and cognitive decline in older adults
Official title: Late-onset Epilepsy and Cognition
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10831100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how late-onset epilepsy in people aged 60 and older might be linked to memory and thinking problems, like those seen in Alzheimer's disease, to see if it could help us find ways to spot and address these issues early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $183,214 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AG063899-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 and above who have experienced late-onset epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 60 or those with epilepsy due to known causes, such as stroke, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how late-onset epilepsy, which occurs in individuals aged 60 and older without a known cause, may be connected to cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing data from an ongoing study and recruiting new participants, the research aims to determine if late-onset epilepsy is a marker for future cognitive impairment. The study will assess cognitive performance and biomarkers in patients with and without late-onset epilepsy to identify potential early intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier interventions for cognitive decline in older adults with late-onset epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a potential link between epilepsy and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Emily — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
Brain aging and thinking in older adults with epilepsy
This project follows older adults with temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy to find blood tests, genes, blood vessel measures, and brain scan patterns linked to faster memory and thinking decline.
-
Investigating brain aging and cognition in older adults with epilepsy
This study is looking at how epilepsy impacts thinking and brain health in older adults aged 55 to 90, and it aims to find out what factors might speed up aging in the brain, so we can help prevent or slow down memory problems like dementia.
-
Understanding how sleep affects thinking in people with new-onset temporal lobe epilepsy
This study is looking at how sleep affects memory and attention in people who have just been diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, hoping to find ways to help improve both their sleep and thinking skills.
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A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
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.