Understanding Brain Inflammation and Alzheimer's Risk Across Generations
Impact of Neuroinflammation on AD Occurrence: A Bi-Generational Population Study
This project looks at how brain inflammation might affect the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in older adults and their children, especially within African American and European American communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10863876 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our project builds on over 30 years of work with the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) to understand Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We are exploring how inflammation in the brain might contribute to memory decline, mild cognitive impairment, and brain changes seen on MRI scans. By studying both older adults and their midlife children, we hope to learn how factors like physical activity, social connections, and vascular health in a family environment influence brain health over time. This research aims to uncover new insights into preventing or managing these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older African American and European American individuals and their midlife offspring who have been part of the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP).
Not a fit: Patients not part of the existing Chicago Health and Aging Project cohorts or those without a direct link to the specific populations being studied may not directly benefit from participation in this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat these conditions, especially for those at higher risk due to inflammation or family history.
How similar studies have performed: This project extends three decades of successful epidemiological work by the CHAP project and tests novel hypotheses regarding neuroinflammation's impact on cognitive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajan, Kumar B. — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rajan, Kumar B.
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 below.