NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding early signs of cognitive decline using health records and AI

Official title: Antecedents and Outcomes of Subjective Cognitive Decline: An Electronic Health Records and Artificial Intelligence Approach

Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11121163 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how electronic health records can help spot early signs of memory problems that might lead to Alzheimer's and similar conditions, so we can find people who need support before they get a formal diagnosis.

More Cognitive Decline research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$249,000
NIH project number4R00AG075190-03
Project IDNIH-11121163 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include older adults who exhibit signs of cognitive decline but have not yet been diagnosed with dementia.

Less likely to help

Patients who are already diagnosed with dementia or have significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how electronic health records (EHRs) can be used to detect early signs of cognitive decline, specifically subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which may indicate the onset of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, the study aims to identify patients who show early cognitive concerns but have not yet been diagnosed with dementia. The research will analyze large datasets to uncover risk factors and characteristics associated with SCD, ultimately aiming to improve early intervention strategies and participant enrollment in clinical trials.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and intervention for individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using electronic health records and machine learning for early detection of cognitive decline, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wang, Liqin — Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Wang, Liqin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Predicting Early Dementia Risk from Health Records Using AI

    A plan to use big health records and smart computer methods to spot people who may be in the early stages of memory decline before dementia

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11399877

  • Tracing early memory concerns and outcomes using health records and AI

    Researchers are using electronic health records and artificial intelligence to find adults with early memory worries and identify who may later develop dementia.

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11176369

  • Creating an online mindfulness program for adults experiencing cognitive decline

    This study is testing an online mindfulness program to help adults who feel their thinking skills are slipping, with the hope that it can improve their focus and possibly benefit their brain health, while also comparing it to a group learning about healthy lifestyles.

    NIH research Ohio State University · Columbus, UNITED STATES · NIH-11063290

  • Understanding cognitive decline in older Hispanics/Latinos

    This study is looking at how older Hispanic and Latino individuals feel about their thinking skills and how those feelings connect to actual changes in their memory and thinking, with the goal of spotting early signs of Alzheimer's disease to help with better diagnosis and care.

    NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11012375

  • Investigating how sleep and physical frailty affect cognitive decline in older adults

    This study is looking at how sleep problems and physical weakness in older adults with early signs of memory issues might affect their thinking skills and risk of developing dementia, with the goal of finding ways to help them stay mentally sharp longer.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-10973042

  • Understanding early cognitive changes in Alzheimer's disease

    This study is looking at how people notice changes in their thinking skills, especially in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and it’s for anyone who has concerns about their memory; you'll share your thoughts on your cognitive abilities every few months using a device, and the researchers will compare what you say with

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10762473

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.