Understanding how social connections change with age and Alzheimer's disease

Dynamic approaches to understanding social cognitive aging: A social network neuroscience approach

NIH-funded research Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11118950

This project explores how brain networks affect social thinking in older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, to help us understand why social skills decline.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTrustees of Indiana University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bloomington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11118950 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Social connections are important for healthy aging and may even help delay Alzheimer's disease. Our ability to form and keep these connections relies on social thinking, which can decline with age and Alzheimer's. This project uses advanced brain imaging techniques to look at how different parts of the brain work together in networks. By understanding these brain networks, we hope to learn why social thinking changes in older adults and those with Alzheimer's.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This work is relevant for adults aged 21 and older, particularly those experiencing healthy aging or living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have concerns about social cognitive function or who are not in the older adult age range may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to support social cognitive function and improve the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: This project uses a novel approach, applying cutting-edge network neuroscience methods to address gaps in previous work on social cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Where this research is happening

Bloomington, 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.