Understanding Stress and Alzheimer's Risk in Diverse Communities

Contributions of stress reactivity to risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia's in a community-based cohort

['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11174231

This project explores how daily stress affects the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in racial and ethnic minority adults.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11174231 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

We know that racial and ethnic minority adults face higher risks for Alzheimer's and related dementias, often experiencing more stress with fewer ways to cope. This can lead to changes in how the body handles stress, which might increase dementia risk. Our project aims to understand this connection better by looking at real-world stress in a diverse group of people. We will gather information on daily stressful experiences, emotions, and heart rate to see how these factors relate to long-term brain health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be racial/ethnic minority adults participating in or eligible for community-based health studies like MESA, who are interested in contributing data about their daily stress and health.

Not a fit: Patients not experiencing daily stress or those not from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds may not directly benefit from the specific focus of this particular research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This work could help us understand how stress contributes to Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or manage dementia, especially for those at higher risk.

How similar studies have performed: While animal and lab studies suggest a link between stress and dementia, this project is novel in its approach to rigorously studying these relationships in natural, real-world settings within a diverse community.

Where this research is happening

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.