Understanding how rumination, anxiety, and worry affect brain aging and dementia risk
The RAW Brain - The Effect of Rumination, Anxiety and Worry on Aging and Dementia Risk
This project explores how specific types of anxiety, like worry and rumination, might increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias as people get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126851 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that anxiety can be a risk factor for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, but we don't fully understand why. This project aims to uncover the specific ways different types of anxiety, such as rumination, general anxiety, and worry, affect brain aging. We are looking for biological signs in the brain that might explain why some people with these anxiety patterns have a higher risk for dementia. By understanding these connections, we hope to find new ways to protect brain health as we age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Individuals experiencing rumination, global anxiety, or worry, particularly those concerned about their risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, might be ideal candidates for future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose cognitive decline is not linked to anxiety or stress, or those with advanced dementia, may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new strategies and interventions to prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias for individuals experiencing specific types of anxiety.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary findings from this team suggest that worry and rumination are linked to accelerated brain aging, indicating a promising direction for this novel investigation into specific anxiety phenotypes.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andreescu, Carmen — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Andreescu, Carmen
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 below.