Understanding Memory and Attention Changes in Trauma-Exposed Responders
Official title: Neuropsychological Profile and Neurocognitive Biomarkers of Attention and Memory in Trauma-Exposed Responders at Risk of Premature Cognitive Decline
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11080746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how trauma, like the World Trade Center attack, might affect memory and attention in first responders as they get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $599,667 |
| NIH project number | 5U01OH012272-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are first responders, particularly those who received health services through the WTC Health Program, who are interested in understanding their cognitive health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not exposed to significant trauma or those not part of the WTC Health Program may not directly benefit from this specific project.
What this research studies
We are looking at how traumatic experiences, such as those faced by World Trade Center responders, can lead to earlier changes in thinking and memory. We will use online tests to check memory and attention in a group of younger first responders over several years. By comparing their experiences and health, we hope to learn more about who might be at higher risk for these changes. This information could help us find ways to support brain health for those who have experienced significant trauma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help identify early signs of cognitive decline in trauma-exposed individuals, potentially leading to earlier interventions to maintain brain health.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between trauma and cognitive decline is recognized, this project uses a specific remote web-based approach to track changes in a large, well-documented cohort of WTC responders over time, making it a focused and important contribution.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cycowicz, Yael M — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Cycowicz, Yael M
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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.