Making behavioral and social information easier to share for better Alzheimer's care
Standardizing and Harmonizing Behavioral and Social Science Research Factors in Alzheimer's Disease through Ontology-Based Approaches
This project builds shared ways to record and link lifestyle, behavior, and social support information to help people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jacksonville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create a common vocabulary and computer tools (an ontology) so information about physical activity, cognitive engagement, diet, social connections, and caregiver experiences can be recorded the same way across studies. They will map and harmonize data from different research groups and community sources so patterns can be combined and compared. The team will prioritize including diverse and underserved populations to reveal social and cultural contributors to dementia outcomes. The goal is to make behavioral and social findings easier to use when designing non-drug programs, policies, and supports for people living with Alzheimer's and their families.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and their caregivers—especially those from diverse or underserved communities—would be the most relevant contributors and future beneficiaries of this work.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate new medication or urgent clinical care may not benefit directly, because the project focuses on research data tools rather than providing treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could speed up development of tailored non-drug programs and better support for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: Ontology and data-harmonization methods have helped other areas of medical research, but applying them specifically to behavioral and social factors in Alzheimer's is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Jacksonville, United States
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Jacksonville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tao, Cui — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Study coordinator: Tao, Cui
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.