Risk factors for future cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older African Americans
Official title: Risk Factors for Future Cognitive Decline and Alzheimers Disease in Older African Americans
Funded at Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-11375000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genetics, sleep, fitness, and environment may influence brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk in older African Americans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,464,541 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG053961-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults 60 and older, cognitively healthy, of African American descent, willing to engage with community partners and undergo follow-up assessments and biomarker testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not meeting age, cognitive status, or consent criteria may not benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project follows cognitively healthy adults aged 60+ in Newark to understand which factors might lead to memory and brain changes over time. It will examine how Aβ42, tau-related biomarkers, genetics like APOE e4, and lifestyle interact to affect cognitive health. Participants will be recruited with strong community partnerships and followed for several years with repeated testing and biomarker measures. The study aims to identify modifiable risks so future steps could reduce Alzheimer’s risk in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide personalized prevention strategies to lower dementia risk for older African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown links between fitness, sleep, and brain health in diverse groups, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gluck, Mark a — Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
- Study coordinator: Gluck, Mark a
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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.