Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
Official title: Neural mechanisms of maladaptive decision making in aging
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11620311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $573,009 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AG093973-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11620311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults or individuals carrying APOEε4 who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and could participate in decision-making studies or related neuroimaging/behavioral assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without aging-related decision-making concerns or APOEε4 risk may see limited or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project looks at how decision making changes with normal aging and with Alzheimer’s risk, focusing on brain regions like the basolateral amygdala and dopamine-related signals. Researchers combine findings from prior animal work with human data to understand the neural mechanisms and how APOEε4 might alter these processes long before disease onset. By unpacking how age and genetics reshape risk taking and impulsivity, the work aims to identify strategies that could improve decision quality and independence in later life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform interventions or therapies that help people make safer financial and health decisions as they age or if they carry APOEε4 risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in animals has shown BLA involvement in risky decisions, supporting the idea that similar mechanisms may operate in humans with aging and AD risk.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bizon, Jennifer Lynn — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bizon, Jennifer Lynn
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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.