Life-long social experiences and risk for Alzheimer's and related dementias
Wisconsin longitudinal study: Initial lifetime's impact on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (WLS-ILIAD)
This project follows older adults to understand whether advantages or hardships across their lives are linked with developing Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298937 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would be part of a long-running group of mostly Wisconsin-born people who have been followed since early life. Researchers continue to collect cognitive tests, medical records, biomarkers, and detailed social and behavioral history as participants move past age 85. The team compares accumulated social advantage or adversity across decades with dementia onset and Alzheimer's-related biological markers, and examines differences by sex and gender. The data are shared with other scientists to help shape prevention and support strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults enrolled in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study cohort who can provide lifetime social-history information and complete cognitive and biomarker follow-up, typically those in their mid-80s and older.
Not a fit: People who are not part of the long-term WLS cohort, younger individuals without detailed lifetime data, or those seeking immediate treatment options are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify life-course social factors that raise or lower Alzheimer's risk and guide better prevention and support for people at higher risk.
How similar studies have performed: Other cohort studies have linked social factors to dementia risk, but few have prospectively collected full life-course data with biomarker follow-up, making this approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asthana, Sanjay — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Asthana, Sanjay
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 below.