Studying aging and dementia in Guatemala
Official title: Developing the longitudinal study of aging in Guatemala and its dementia-focused substudy
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11033824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging and dementia, like Alzheimer's, affect older adults in Guatemala, and it aims to learn more about the unique factors that influence these conditions, which could also help similar communities in the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $420,947 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG090819-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults in Guatemala, particularly those at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Guatemala or those under 21 years old may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a comprehensive, long-term study focused on aging and dementia in Guatemala. It will gather data on health and well-being among older adults, particularly looking at Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By modeling this study on existing successful aging studies, researchers hope to understand the unique aging processes in Guatemala, including cultural and environmental factors that may influence dementia risk. The study will also provide insights that could benefit aging populations in the U.S., especially among Guatemalan communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Similar longitudinal studies in other regions have shown success in understanding aging and dementia, making this approach promising for Guatemala.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flood, David Clifford — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Flood, David Clifford
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Health, Aging and Dementia in South Africa: A Longitudinal Study
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Genetic causes of age-related TDP-43 changes and mixed dementia
This project looks for gene differences that help explain why older adults develop TDP-43–related and mixed dementias.
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.