Understanding COVID-19's Effects on Brain Health in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Official title: Acute and Long-Term Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and its Interaction with APOE on Cognitive Function and Neuropathology in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11297471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects thinking and brain health over time, especially in older adults and those with a gene linked to Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $699,107 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG077772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future related efforts might include older adults, individuals with a history of COVID-19, or those with a genetic predisposition like the APOE4 gene, particularly if they are experiencing cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or who are not concerned about long-term cognitive effects related to aging or Alzheimer's disease may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
What this research studies
We know that COVID-19 can cause brain damage and lasting neurological problems for many survivors. This project explores how the virus impacts brain function and changes in the brain, particularly in older individuals. We are also interested in how a specific gene, APOE4, which increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease, might influence how severe COVID-19's effects are on the brain. Our goal is to uncover the underlying reasons why some people experience more severe brain-related issues after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand and potentially prevent or treat the long-term brain and memory problems that can follow a COVID-19 infection, especially for those at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the acute neurological effects of COVID-19 are recognized, this project delves into the specific long-term interactions with aging and genetic factors like APOE, which is a less understood area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ling — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Li, Ling
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
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How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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Alzheimer’s-related dementia after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain and potential drug repurposing
This research looks at how COVID-19 may contribute to dementia by studying brain inflammation, blood vessel injury, and virus-host interactions, with the goal of finding existing drugs that could help.
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How COVID-19 and genetics influence memory and dementia risk in older adults
This project studies how getting COVID-19 interacts with people’s genetic makeup to affect the likelihood of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults from diverse backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
This project will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
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.