Life-space and social connections in aging adults to detect early Alzheimer’s risk
Official title: Life-space, isolation, and functional exposome study in preclinical Alzheimer's disease and cognitive environments (LIFESPACE)
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11549813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic-led study will look at how everyday life patterns, like movement, isolation, and daily activities, relate to early signs of Alzheimer’s in adults aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $576,175 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AG089700-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11549813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and are willing to use digital health devices and share lifestyle data.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults who do not experience preclinical Alzheimer’s changes or are unwilling to participate in digital monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows people 65 and older to see if digital signals from daily life—such as driving patterns, activity levels, and social interactions—can reveal early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers will collect data using smartwatches and other devices to study how isolation and life-space relate to preclinical dementia over time. The study also examines environmental factors like air pollution and neighborhood characteristics to understand their impact on social engagement and cognitive health. Findings could improve early identification and understanding of how daily environments influence Alzheimer’s risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could help clinicians and families identify early Alzheimer’s risk through everyday life patterns and environmental context.
How similar studies have gone: Digital biomarkers and life-space tracking have shown promise in related aging studies, but this project expands to diverse cohorts and real-world environments.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babulal, Ganesh M — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Babulal, Ganesh 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.