Memory and thinking changes in older South African adults
Official title: Project 1 - Cognitive Function and Dementia
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11115826 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows adults aged 40 and older in South Africa to track memory, thinking, brain scans, and blood markers related to dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $207,688 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG041710-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115826 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults aged 40 or older living in South Africa, especially those in the Agincourt surveillance area, who can attend visits and agree to cognitive testing and possible blood draws or brain scans.
✕Less likely to help
People under 40, those living outside South Africa, or individuals unable or unwilling to attend study visits or provide blood samples or imaging would not be directly involved or benefit from participation.
What this research studies
You would be part of a long-term project that follows thousands of South African adults aged 40+ to watch how memory and thinking change over time. Participants complete standard interviews and validated neuropsychological tests at several waves to chart cognitive trajectories. A smaller, enriched subgroup gets brain imaging and blood tests for Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers, and all data are harmonized with international HRS/HCAP efforts for global comparisons. The project aims to produce the first national estimates of dementia in South Africa and to identify pathways that lead to cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide the first national dementia estimates for South Africa and identify risk factors that help guide prevention and care.
How similar studies have gone: Large aging cohorts using the same HRS/HCAP methods have successfully produced prevalence and risk-factor findings in other countries, while applying these methods nationally in South Africa is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berkman, Lisa F — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Berkman, Lisa F
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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.