Understanding Memory Changes and Alzheimer's Risk in Older African Americans
Official title: Risk Factors for Future Cognitive Decline and Alzheimers Disease in Older African Americans
Funded at Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-11091600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why Alzheimer's disease is more common in older African Americans by exploring how health, lifestyle, environment, and genes affect brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,438,370 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG053961-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are cognitively healthy African Americans aged 60 and above, particularly those aged 80 and above for annual testing, living in the greater Newark, NJ area.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not fit the age or ethnic criteria, or who are already experiencing significant cognitive decline, may not directly benefit from participating in this specific observational study.
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease affects older African Americans at a higher rate, and we want to understand why this health difference exists. Our past work suggests that things like aerobic fitness and sleep quality play a role in memory decline and Alzheimer's. However, we also know that genetics and social factors can change how these lifestyle habits affect brain health. To learn more, we are inviting older African Americans to participate in follow-up visits to help us uncover these complex connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to better ways to prevent or slow down Alzheimer's disease by identifying specific risk factors and understanding how they interact in older African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has identified some health and lifestyle factors related to cognitive decline, and this project builds upon those findings by focusing specifically on older African Americans and complex interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gluck, Mark a — Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
- Study coordinator: Gluck, Mark a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Risk factors for future cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older African Americans
Researchers are studying how genetics, sleep, fitness, and environment may influence brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk in older African Americans.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetic, behavior, and vascular data
Aims to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in middle-aged South Asians by combining genetic, lifestyle, and vascular information to catch early changes before dementia develops.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetics, behavior, and vascular data
Aimed at people 21 and older, this project looks at how biology, behavior, and blood vessel health together may signal the early risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in South Asians.
-
NGF Metabolism as a biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are studying whether patterns in nerve growth factor pathways in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's in people with genetic risk.
-
NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
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.