Using exercise to improve outcomes in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Precision Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease: A SMART Trial of Adaptive Exercises and Their Mechanisms of Action Using AT(N) Biomarkers to Optimize Aerobic-Fitness Responses
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11076259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different kinds of aerobic exercise can help older adults with mild Alzheimer's and similar conditions feel better and think more clearly, by finding out which exercises work best for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $899,575 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076566-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 21 and above who have been diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those unable to participate in physical exercise may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different types of aerobic exercise can benefit older adults with mild Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It focuses on understanding individual responses to exercise by measuring aerobic fitness and specific biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's. Participants will engage in a structured exercise program that may include moderate-intensity continuous training or high-intensity interval training, depending on their initial fitness response. The goal is to optimize exercise interventions to enhance cognitive function, physical health, and overall quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective exercise programs tailored to individual needs, improving health outcomes for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with aerobic exercise in improving outcomes for Alzheimer's patients, but this study aims to refine and personalize those approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Fang — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Yu, Fang
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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.