Investigating the use of certain medications and their impact on cognitive health in older adults
Official title: Epidemiology of potentially inappropriate medication use and risk for mild cognitive impairment and dementia among ARIC, Look AHEAD, and MESA
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10755324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain medications that might not be the best choice for older adults can affect their thinking and memory, especially for those 65 and older, and it hopes to find out if making some lifestyle changes can help reduce the use of these medications and protect their brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG077368-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10755324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are currently using medications that may be classified as potentially inappropriate.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those not taking any medications classified as potentially inappropriate may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) affects the cognitive health of older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above. It aims to understand the prevalence and impact of these medications on the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia. By analyzing data from large, diverse populations, the study will explore whether lifestyle interventions can help reduce the use of PIMs and subsequently lower the risk of cognitive decline. The findings could provide valuable insights into medication management and cognitive health strategies for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved medication guidelines that enhance cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing medication use in older adults can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bancks, Michael Patrick — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bancks, Michael Patrick
Related research
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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.