Mindfulness program to support memory and thinking for Latino older adults at risk for Alzheimer's
Official title: Mindfulness to Enhance Cognitive Health in Latino Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11159464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project teaches a culturally adapted mindfulness program to Latino older adults at risk for Alzheimer's to help memory, thinking, and emotional well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $485,793 |
| NIH project number | 5R61AG087037-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Latino older adults who are worried about memory or are considered at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease but who do not have advanced dementia.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced Alzheimer's disease or severe cognitive impairment are unlikely to benefit from this kind of mindfulness program.
What this research studies
You'll be invited to join group-based mindfulness meditation sessions that are adapted for Latino older adults, including attention to language and cultural needs. The team will test whether the program is practical to run in the community and whether participants show improvements in thinking, memory, stress, and mood. Sessions will focus on mindfulness skills and may include measures of cognitive tests and questionnaires about mood and daily function. The goal is to make a low-cost program that is easier for Latino elders to access and use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help slow age-related memory decline, reduce stress and depression, and offer a low-cost, culturally relevant way to protect thinking skills.
How similar studies have gone: Some earlier studies show mindfulness can help mood and some aspects of cognition, but culturally adapted programs for Latino older adults are new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braver, Todd S — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Braver, Todd S
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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.