Understanding Kidney Health's Link to Memory and Movement in Older Adults
Official title: Statistical Methods for Kidney Markers as Shared Determinants of Dementia and Physical Disability in Older Adults
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11137616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how kidney health might be connected to both memory problems and physical challenges in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2015 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $694,115 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG048069-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults concerned about maintaining their cognitive and physical health as they age.
✕Less likely to help
Patients already experiencing advanced dementia or severe physical disability may not directly benefit from this early-stage preventative research.
What this research studies
Many older adults experience memory decline and physical difficulties, often leading to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We want to understand if changes in kidney function could be an early sign or a shared cause for both these issues. By looking at how kidney health, memory, and physical abilities change over time, we hope to find new ways to help prevent these conditions. This work could lead to new strategies to keep older adults healthier and more independent for longer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for interventions to prevent or delay the onset of dementia and physical disability in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown connections between declining kidney function and both cognitive and physical decline, suggesting this approach builds on existing knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shardell, Michelle Denise — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Shardell, Michelle Denise
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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.