Pesticide exposure and Alzheimer's-related brain changes in farmers
Pesticide Use and Markers of ADRD Neurodegeneration among US Farmers
This project looks at whether long-term pesticide exposure in farmers is linked to signs of Alzheimer's and related dementias using health records, blood tests, smell checks, and cognitive tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11302642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an older farmer, researchers will combine 30 years of pesticide exposure records with medical and Medicare data to see who later developed dementia. A smaller group (the PASS sub-cohort) will give blood for Alzheimer’s biomarkers, take smell tests, and complete repeated thinking and memory tests. The team will compare different pesticides and exposure levels to these biomarkers and cognitive changes to find patterns. Findings aim to point to specific chemicals or exposure patterns tied to early brain changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older U.S. farmers (especially age 65+) with a history of long-term pesticide use, particularly participants in the Agricultural Health Study or PASS sub-cohort who can share medical records and samples.
Not a fit: People without a history of pesticide exposure, non-farmers, or those who cannot provide health record linkage or biological samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify pesticides that raise dementia risk so exposed people can get earlier monitoring, prevention advice, or policy changes to reduce exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on pesticides and dementia have given mixed and preliminary results, so this large, long-term analysis aims to provide clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Honglei — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Chen, Honglei
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.