The link between adult children's education and dementia risk in older adults
Official title: Older Adult Dementia Risk and Offspring Education in the United States
Funded at Bowling Green State University · NIH-10436439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at whether having more educated adult children can help lower the risk of Alzheimer's and related memory issues in their older parents, aiming to find out how education might protect against cognitive decline as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bowling Green State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bowling Green, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $430,386 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AG074050-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10436439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who may be at risk for Alzheimer's Disease and have adult children with varying levels of education.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have adult children or whose children are not involved in their care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the education levels of adult children may influence the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in their older parents. By analyzing data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, the project aims to understand the relationship between various measures of children's education and the cognitive health of older adults. The study will explore whether higher education in children correlates with lower dementia risk in parents, as well as the implications of lower educational levels. This research seeks to provide insights into the protective factors that education may offer against cognitive decline in aging populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for reducing dementia risk among older adults through educational interventions for their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a positive correlation between education and cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yahirun, Jenjira Jennie — Bowling Green State University
- Study coordinator: Yahirun, Jenjira Jennie
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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.