Long-term dioxin exposure and brain health in older adults
Official title: Estimated long-term environmental dioxin exposure and cognitive and brain health in the Adult Changes in Thought Study
Funded at Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-11445901 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether lifetime exposure to dioxins from the environment could influence dementia risk in adults aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $853,447 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES038143-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445901 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) who are part of or similar to the ACT cohort and have data on exposure history and cognitive outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the study population or with dementia due to causes unrelated to environmental exposures may not benefit.
What this research studies
The researchers will use data from the ACT study, a long-running group of older adults followed over time, to link dioxin exposure with later dementia and Alzheimer's outcomes. They will combine residential history, occupations, and health records to estimate individual dioxin exposure levels and examine how these relate to cognitive decline and dementia diagnoses. The study relies on existing data and biological insights to understand if reducing dioxin exposure could help protect brain health in later life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform public health actions to reduce dioxin exposure and potentially lower dementia risk in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests links between heavy pollutant exposures and cognitive decline, but this project examines dioxins at levels common in the general population, which is a newer focus.
Where this research is happening
-
Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gatto, Nicole M. — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Gatto, Nicole M.
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.