Understanding how social isolation and loneliness affect brain health in Alzheimer’s risk
Official title: Identifying ADRD intervention targets by characterizing neurobiological mechanisms of social isolation, loneliness, and social environment using novel imaging, molecular markers, and machine learning
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11381583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how feeling isolated or lonely and the social environment might influence brain changes related to Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $667,131 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079282-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 20 and older who are part of the Framingham Study cohort and at risk for ADRD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not connected to the Framingham Study or without ADRD risk factors may see limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine imaging, molecular markers, and machine learning to map how social factors affect brain biology over time in people at risk for ADRD. They plan to use data from a large, well-characterized cohort to relate psychosocial factors to trajectories of brain aging and dementia vulnerability. The study focuses on how different social experiences uniquely influence neurobiology, aiming to identify potential targets for interventions. The approach is designed to connect everyday social experiences with biological changes that precede ADRD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide personalized strategies to reduce ADRD risk by addressing social factors and informing future interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows psychosocial factors relate to brain changes, but this project advances by integrating multi-omic data, imaging, and machine learning.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salinas, Joel Armando — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Salinas, Joel Armando
Related research
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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.