Memory and vision in aging and mild cognitive impairment
Official title: Effects of Healthy Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment on Memory Representations
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11371089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses brain imaging to understand how aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment change how visual memories are stored and used.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $762,162 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG066901-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults with aMCI, healthy older adults, and healthy younger adults who can complete MRI procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to undergo MRI or those without memory concerns may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers at Duke University will study how memory and vision interact in healthy older adults and in people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) using functional MRI. The work compares visual and semantic aspects of memory representations across three groups (aMCI, older adults, and younger adults) to see where memory representations differ in the brain. The aim is to uncover why memory representations deteriorate with aging and in aMCI, potentially predicting progression to Alzheimer’s disease long before dementia appears. Findings could inform strategies to maintain memory quality and guide early interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining understanding of memory and vision changes in aging and aMCI could lead to earlier detection and targeted approaches to preserve memory.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows age-related changes in memory processing, but this study is novel in comparing memory representations across visual and semantic features using fMRI.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cabeza, Roberto — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Cabeza, Roberto
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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.