The link between food insecurity and dementia risk

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates how food insecurity throughout a person's life may influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. By analyzing data from large, long-term studies, the researchers aim to understand whether experiencing food insecurity at different ages affects cognitive health in older adults. The study will look at both current food insecurity and patterns over time, including the impact of nutritional assistance programs. This approach will help clarify the relationship between diet, socioeconomic factors, and dementia risk.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of California, San Francisco
  San Francisco, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Vable, Anusha Murthy — University of California, San Francisco
• Study coordinator: Vable, Anusha Murthy

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• How not having enough food at different ages may affect risk of Alzheimer's and related dementias

  This project looks at whether periods of not having enough food during childhood, adulthood, or older age change the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in later life.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11297632

• How not having steady access to food may affect memory and dementia risk

  This project looks at whether not having steady access to enough food leads to worse thinking skills and higher dementia risk in adults, especially older people.

  NIH research Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · Boston, United States · NIH-11091551

• Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.

  This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.

  NIH research Methodist Hospital Research Institute · Houston, United States · NIH-9980670

• Synthetic protein mimetics to treat Lewy Body Dementia

  A new therapeutic approach using engineered protein-like molecules to block the harmful protein clumps that cause Lewy Body Dementia.

  NIH research University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) · Denver, United States · NIH-11641877

• Dementia care staff study: adapting a US survey for use in many countries

  A study is adapting and testing a survey for dementia care workers in the US, Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why workers stay in their jobs and how to improve care.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11619906

• Dementia care staff study: adapting a survey for use in many countries

  A multinational study will adapt and test a U.S. dementia-care worker survey in Brazil, Switzerland, and Ghana to help understand why staff stay in or leave long-term care settings.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11619902

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.