National Medicare & Medicaid claims database for Alzheimer’s research

Core B - CMS Data Core

['FUNDING_P01'] · NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH · NIH-11195553

This project builds and updates a nationwide set of Medicare and Medicaid records to help researchers better understand dementia and care for people 65 and older.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_P01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11195553 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you or a loved one is 65 or older, this project improves a national set of Medicare and Medicaid billing records so researchers can learn more about Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The team adds Medicare Advantage and Medicaid records to NBER’s long-running claims database and links new measures for dementia symptoms, stages, and cognitive impairment. They are also improving how patient race and ethnicity are recorded and working to identify spouses who may act as caregivers. Qualified researchers will be able to use these enhanced data to study care patterns and health disparities for older adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This is most relevant to people 65 and older with Medicare or Medicaid coverage, especially those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: People under 65, those without Medicare/Medicaid coverage, or those not affected by dementia are unlikely to see direct benefits from this data core.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Improved claims data could lead to better understanding of dementia diagnoses, caregiving, and racial/ethnic disparities, informing future care and policy for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Large claims databases like NBER’s have long been used to study healthcare use and policy, while linking richer dementia measures to claims is a newer enhancement.

Where this research is happening

CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.