Pandemic isolation and memory in older Veterans with and without Alzheimer's
Consequences of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease
This project looks at how COVID-19 social isolation affected thinking and memory in older Veterans with and without Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132620 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will follow older Veterans, some with Alzheimer's disease and some without, to track changes in thinking and memory after pandemic-related social isolation. They will collect information on loneliness and social contact using surveys and use VA medical records and standard cognitive tests to measure memory and daily function. The team will compare Veterans who experienced more isolation to those who had more social support and will examine other pandemic-related factors that might help or worsen outcomes. The goal is to link changes in social connection during COVID-19 to later cognitive and health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older Veterans, including both those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and those without dementia, who experienced social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Younger people, non-Veterans, or those without any connection to VA care are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to social supports or interventions that help protect thinking and memory in older Veterans after periods of isolation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research links social relationships to better cognition, but studies focused on pandemic isolation in Veterans and people with Alzheimer's are limited.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- VA Boston Health Care System — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Budson, Andrew — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Budson, Andrew
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.