Socioeconomic factors shaping brain health and cognitive aging in midlife
Official title: Socioeconomic Mediators of Adult Brain Network Resilience and Vulnerability to Cognitive Decline
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11366192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study of how health, lifestyle, and environment in midlife influence brain aging and the risk of cognitive decline, especially in people at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,322,878 |
| NIH project number | 2RF1AG063930-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 40–64, especially those with higher risk factors for cognitive decline or AD-related biomarkers.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not interested in long-term participation or lacking access to the required imaging or digital data collection may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows adults aged 40–64 to understand how everyday life factors shape brain health over time. It builds on an existing study by adding another data collection point across five years and starting a new cohort to increase participation. Participants will undergo brain scans, cognitive tests, health checkups, saliva and blood samples, wearables for sleep and activity, and smartphone diaries to capture daily experiences. The goal is to identify which life experiences and biological factors contribute to resilience or vulnerability to cognitive decline and AD-related pathology. All procedures are designed for middle-aged adults at elevated risk of cognitive impairment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform personalized strategies to preserve brain health and delay cognitive decline in midlife.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in MBES and similar cohorts has shown that lifestyle and biological factors influence cognitive trajectories, with potential for actionable prevention insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wig, Gagan S — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Wig, Gagan S
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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.