Separating subtle thinking decline from everyday learning effects
Multi-timescale process models to disentangle subtle cognitive decline and learning effects
['FUNDING_R01'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · NIH-11298986
This project creates digital and statistical tools to spot small changes in thinking that may signal early Alzheimer's or related dementias in adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11298986 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would complete short, frequent thinking and memory tasks over days or weeks so the team can capture how your performance changes. The researchers will use a new Bayesian computer toolkit to separate short-term learning or practice effects from longer-term changes in cognition. The approach produces clear features for each person, like shifts in peak performance, estimated probability of decline, and measures of decision-making caution. These features are intended to become digital markers that clinicians could use to identify subtle cognitive decline earlier than standard tests.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who are concerned about or at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and who can complete frequent short cognitive tests are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, severe sensory or communication impairments, or no access to the required digital testing tools may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tools could detect subtle cognitive decline earlier and give clinicians more individualized risk information to guide care.
How similar studies have performed: Other work has used frequent digital testing and practice-effect adjustments to find early decline, but combining burst designs with multi-timescale Bayesian models is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES
- PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE — UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ORAVECZ, ZITA — PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- Study coordinator: ORAVECZ, ZITA
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.