Understanding cognitive decline in late-life depression and Alzheimer's risk
Official title: Characterizing Cognitive Decline in Late Life Depression: The ADNI-D Project
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11357560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows older adults with late-life depression to see how brain changes and Alzheimer’s risk factors relate to memory loss over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $806,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH098062-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults who have late-life depression and are willing to undergo genetic testing, brain imaging, and periodic cognitive assessments.
✕Less likely to help
People without late-life depression or those unable to participate in imaging and genetic testing may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers at UCSF are following people with late-life depression to understand why their thinking and memory sometimes decline faster. They combine genetic data, brain scans, and PET imaging for amyloid to separate depression-related brain changes from early Alzheimer’s changes. The study builds on the ADNI framework to track how specific brain regions change and how these changes predict cognitive loss. The goal is to clarify mechanisms and improve timing for interventions that could help patients in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of dementia risk in people with late-life depression and inform targeted strategies to slow cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with ADNI and similar cohorts has shown that combining imaging and genetics can reveal dementia-related changes, though the specific link with late-life depression needs further clarification.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackin, Robert Scott — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Mackin, Robert Scott
Related research
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Attenuating Depression with Internet CBT to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older ICU Survivors
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Understanding Memory Changes in Older Adults with Depression
This project explores why older adults with depression sometimes experience faster memory decline and how it relates to Alzheimer's disease.
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Investigating how depression affects cognitive decline in older African Americans
This study is looking at how depression and inflammation might affect thinking skills in African Americans aged 85 and older who are not experiencing dementia, with the goal of finding ways to help reduce the risk of dementia in this group.
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Using online therapy to help older ICU survivors with depression and cognitive decline
This study is looking at whether online therapy can help older adults who have been in intensive care feel better mentally and improve their thinking skills, especially focusing on those from different backgrounds.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
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.