NIH-funded research R21 grant

Understanding how stress and resilience affect aging and Alzheimer's disease

Official title: Elucidating the mechanisms of stress and resilience to cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease

Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11125192 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how stress and the ability to bounce back from tough times might affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older adults, and it hopes to find ways to protect brain health from stress.

More s Disease research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2025
Project endMay 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$459,250
NIH project number1R21AG088163-01A1
Project IDNIH-11125192 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease or are experiencing cognitive aging.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not experiencing cognitive aging or do not have risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between stress, resilience, and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older adults. By analyzing data from large population studies, the research aims to identify factors that may help protect against the harmful effects of stress on cognitive health. The study focuses on understanding how these factors interact with the biological changes associated with AD, particularly amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. This knowledge could inform future prevention strategies for AD.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease and improving cognitive health in older adults.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the role of resilience in cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Vannini, Patrizia — Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Vannini, Patrizia

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.