Investigating the links between apathy and brain health in middle-aged individuals at risk for dementia
Official title: Cognitive and brain imaging correlates of apathy- components in asymptomatic middle aged individuals at high ADRD- risk
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10792946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feelings of apathy, or lack of interest, might connect to thinking skills and brain health in middle-aged people who are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease, and it involves 500 healthy participants sharing their experiences to help find early signs of changes in the brain related to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $154,642 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG080827-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10792946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively asymptomatic middle-aged individuals who have a family history of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how apathy, a common behavioral symptom in Alzheimer's disease, relates to cognitive function and brain health in middle-aged individuals who are at high risk for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. By examining 500 cognitively healthy participants from the Israel Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention, the study aims to identify the cognitive and brain imaging correlates of apathy and its components. Participants will provide information through validated questionnaires and objective measures to assess their levels of apathy. The goal is to uncover early indicators of dementia-related changes in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of individuals at risk for dementia, allowing for timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding behavioral symptoms like apathy can provide valuable insights into the early stages of dementia, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnaider Beeri, Michal — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Schnaider Beeri, Michal
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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.