NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding cognitive health and Alzheimer's risk in older African American men

Official title: Early Characterization of Cognitive Status and AD Risk in African American Men

Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11126965 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how brain health and the risk of Alzheimer's disease affect older African American men, aiming to understand the factors that influence their cognitive abilities and help improve care for them.

More Status research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kentucky
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$249,000
NIH project number4R00AG078286-02
Project IDNIH-11126965 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are older African American men who may be at risk for cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not African American or those who do not fall within the older age range may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the cognitive status and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk specifically in older African American men, a group that has been underrepresented in previous studies. By utilizing neuroimaging and various assessments, the study aims to identify genetic, social, and environmental factors that influence brain health and cognitive decline. Participants will undergo evaluations to capture brain activity and cognitive changes, helping to fill the knowledge gap regarding AD risk in this population. The findings could lead to better understanding and potential interventions tailored for African American men at risk for Alzheimer's.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early detection and tailored prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease in African American men.

How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on Alzheimer's in general, this specific focus on older African American men is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Kentucky
    Lexington, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Esiaka, Darlingtina — University of Kentucky
  • Study coordinator: Esiaka, Darlingtina

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain

    Scientists are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) help end severe seizures and repair brain damage, with potential new ideas for people who have had status epilepticus.

    NIH research University of Virginia · Charlottesville, United States · NIH-11607998

  • A decentralized, post-incarceration program to help people living with or at risk for HIV

    A patient-facing program called DEST2nation aims to help people recently released from jail or prison stay on HIV treatment (ART) and prevention (PrEP) by coordinating care, housing, and support services through peers and community organizations.

    NIH research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · Bronx, United States · NIH-11571401

  • Healer-initiated HIV testing to bridge gaps in South Africa

    This project tests whether traditional healers can offer HIV counseling and testing to people who don’t usually get tested, to link more individuals to care.

    NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-11535016

  • How childhood nutrition affects health, thinking, and life outcomes by middle age

    This project compares people who got extra nutrition as children with those who did not to understand differences in health, thinking, and life outcomes in middle age.

    NIH research Emory University · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11515104

  • HER2 in breast cancer among diverse communities

    This project looks at genetic and molecular factors linked to HER2-positive breast cancer in women from Hispanic/Latina, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous American, African, and other diverse backgrounds.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11512975

  • Diet, mating, and aging: how reproduction and eating shape aging in humans and flies

    Aging and healthspan may be influenced by how diet and reproductive timing interact, and this project will explore that connection in humans and fruit flies.

    NIH research Buck Institute for Research on Aging · Novato, United States · NIH-11456350

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.