Understanding medication issues in nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Prescribing Cascades among Nursing Home Residents with ADRD
Funded at Brown University · NIH-10984679 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how giving too many medications to nursing home residents with Alzheimer's and related conditions can sometimes cause more problems, and it aims to find better ways to manage their medications to keep them healthier and happier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,238,104 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG089541-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984679 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are nursing home residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who are currently taking multiple medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in nursing homes or do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the problem of polypharmacy, where nursing home residents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are often prescribed multiple medications. It focuses on prescribing cascades, which occur when side effects from one medication are mistaken for new health issues, leading to unnecessary additional medications. The study aims to gather evidence on how these prescribing cascades affect health outcomes, such as hospitalizations and cognitive decline, in order to improve medication management for these vulnerable patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better medication management practices that reduce harmful side effects and improve the overall health of nursing home residents with ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing polypharmacy and prescribing cascades can lead to improved health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zullo, Andrew Reis — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Zullo, Andrew Reis
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.