Spanish-language neuropsychological tools for Alzheimer’s risk and aging care
Official title: Development of a Community Engaged Translational Research Network to Advance Spanish-Language Neuropsychological Assessment in Cognitive Aging Research: ECHAR-TR
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-11385074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide effort to create and validate Spanish-language neuropsychological tests to improve diagnosis and care for Spanish-speaking older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $727,093 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AG094604-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Spanish-speaking adults aged 21 and older at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not primarily speak Spanish or who are outside the target age range may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you are a Spanish speaker aged 21 or older and at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s-related dementia, this project seeks to build and test better cognitive assessments in Spanish. Researchers will form a community-engaged network across sites to identify what tools are needed, develop Spanish tests, and pilot them in real clinical settings. The work will combine input from neuropsychologists, community partners, and health providers to ensure the tools are accurate, culturally appropriate, and useful in real-world care. Phase I focuses on establishing the network and understanding needs; Phase II will develop, pilot, and refine the assessments before broader use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Spanish-speaking patients could receive more accurate and timely diagnoses, leading to earlier access to treatment and better care planning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show that culturally and linguistically appropriate tools improve diagnostic accuracy in diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medina, Luis D — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Medina, Luis D
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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.