Ultrafine Air Particles and Brain Health in Alzheimer’s Risk
Official title: Do Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles Lodge in the Brain and Cause Cognitive Decline Leading to Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias?
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11398008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether tiny air particles can reach the brain and contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130659-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in the UC Davis Longitudinal Diversity Cohort who live in areas with varying levels of ultrafine particulate matter.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose exposure to UFPM is minimal or who have dementia due to non-environmental factors may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study UC Davis participants to see if ultrafine air pollution from everyday environments affects brain health and the risk of dementia. They will combine human data from a diverse aging cohort with animal studies to explore how these tiny particles might reach the brain. The study will examine geographic differences in exposure and track cognitive changes over time to understand potential connections to Alzheimer’s–related conditions. By integrating environmental data with biological and cognitive outcomes, the work aims to identify if UFPM exposure is a modifiable risk factor.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If UFPM exposure is linked to cognitive decline, this could guide public health actions to reduce exposure and inform individuals about risk factors for dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests smaller particles can reach organs, but direct links to human UFPM exposure and AD/ADRD are not yet established, making this an important exploratory step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lein, Pamela J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Lein, Pamela J
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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.