Understanding how attentional control helps older adults cope with cognitive challenges
Official title: Attentional Resilience in Older Adults
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11168949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults can improve their focus and mental strength when dealing with challenges like delirium and Alzheimer's, especially after surgery, to find ways to help them stay sharp and resilient.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $760,360 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG088329-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11168949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively healthy older adults who may be undergoing scheduled surgeries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or severe cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how attentional control can enhance cognitive resilience in older adults facing challenges such as delirium and Alzheimer's disease. By examining the brain's ability to allocate neural resources effectively, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow individuals to maintain attention even under stress, such as after surgery. The research will involve cognitively healthy older adults and will use scheduled surgery as a natural experiment to explore these concepts. The goal is to identify ways to support cognitive function in the face of neurodegeneration and inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that help older adults maintain cognitive function and resilience against Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that enhancing attentional control can lead to improved cognitive outcomes in older adults, suggesting that this approach may be promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acker, Leah — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Acker, Leah
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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.