Using smartphones to spot isolation and loneliness linked to Alzheimer’s risk
Official title: Digital detection of social isolation and loneliness markers of risk for Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11297690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses brief smartphone surveys and passive phone sensors to find patterns of loneliness and social isolation that may signal higher Alzheimer's risk in older adults with normal thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $702,485 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG075889-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297690 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are older adults who currently have normal cognition, may experience loneliness or limited social contact, own and can use a smartphone, and are willing to do brief daily surveys and allow passive sensing.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced dementia, those unable to use or carry a smartphone, or those who cannot consent to regular mobile monitoring are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would answer short surveys on your phone several times a day and allow the phone to passively record things like location and social interaction patterns. The team combines these momentary reports with mobile cognitive tests and sensor data to create a detailed picture of daily social behavior. Researchers aim to identify specific social thinking patterns (like apathy or feeling threatened) that relate to future Alzheimer’s risk. The goal is to find reliable digital signs that could lead to new ways to reduce risk through social or behavioral treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help flag older adults at higher Alzheimer's risk earlier and point to social-behavior targets for interventions to lower that risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using smartphone surveys and passive sensing have shown promise for tracking social behavior and mood, but applying these tools specifically to predict Alzheimer's risk is a newer and still-emerging area.
Where this research is happening
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University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Granholm, Eric L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Granholm, Eric L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring loneliness and social isolation in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease.
This study looks at how feeling lonely or being socially isolated affects the health and happiness of older adults, especially those nearing the end of life, including those with Alzheimer's and related conditions, to help improve their overall well-being.
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How loneliness and social isolation affect brain aging and Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how feeling lonely and being socially isolated can affect memory and thinking as we age, especially in older adults, and it aims to find ways to help people connect with others to improve their overall well-being and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
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Using digital tools to identify social isolation and loneliness in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease
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Pandemic isolation and memory in older Veterans with and without Alzheimer's
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Investigating how air quality and living conditions affect social isolation and cognitive function in rural communities at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
This study is looking at how air quality and the places we live can affect feelings of loneliness and memory problems in older adults in rural Florida who might be at risk for Alzheimer's disease, and it involves tracking daily activities and social interactions over five years.
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How loneliness affects brain aging and Alzheimer's disease risk
This study is looking at how feeling lonely might affect the brains of older adults who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease, hoping to find clues that could help us understand and predict changes in brain health.
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.