Understanding daily functioning changes in Alzheimer's disease

Practice effects of daily functioning across the Alzheimer's disease spectrum

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11094858

This study looks at how daily activities change for people with Alzheimer's disease over time, especially for those who don't seem to improve with practice, and it compares their experiences to those of healthy older adults and people with Mild Cognitive Impairment to help better understand cognitive decline and improve future treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094858 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how daily functioning in individuals with Alzheimer's disease changes over time, particularly focusing on those who show low practice effects when performing tasks repeatedly over a week. By comparing cognitively intact older adults with those experiencing Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease, the study aims to identify patterns that could indicate cognitive decline. Additionally, it explores the relationship between these functional changes and various Alzheimer's biomarkers, such as brain imaging results. The goal is to improve screening for clinical trials and enhance understanding of treatment responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults aged 21 and above who are cognitively intact, have Mild Cognitive Impairment, or are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or those who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better methods for identifying individuals at risk of cognitive decline, ultimately improving patient care and treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using practice effects as indicators of cognitive progression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.