Using wearable technology to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: Augmented Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Detection Through Wearable Health and Driving Behavior Data.
Funded at Amissa, INC. · NIH-11008460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how information from smartwatches and driving habits can help spot early signs of Alzheimer's in older adults, so we can find ways to support them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Amissa, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $505,516 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG087803-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cognitively normal older adults aged 65 and older.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or have significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how data from wearable devices, like smartwatches, and driving behavior can help identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. By monitoring health-related metrics and driving patterns, the study aims to classify individuals' preclinical Alzheimer's status. Participants will be recruited from an existing project and will undergo cognitive assessments alongside advanced imaging techniques to confirm their Alzheimer's status. The goal is to develop low-cost interventions that can be implemented based on the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions that may improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology and behavioral data for health monitoring, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Amissa, INC.
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corkey, Jon Andrew — Amissa, INC.
- Study coordinator: Corkey, Jon Andrew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain activity changes may drive Alzheimer’s disease progression in a mouse model
Researchers are testing how changes in brain signals and protein cleanup processes affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice.
-
Thiamine-boosting therapy for Alzheimer’s: understanding how benfotiamine may reduce harmful AGE in DP patients
A medication-based approach using high-dose vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) is studied to help people with Alzheimer's by reducing harmful sugar-related molecules.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
Turning APOE4 into protective APOE2 or APOE3Christchurch to help with Alzheimer’s
A patient-facing explanation of a treatment idea that aims to change a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the brain.
-
Telomerase in Alzheimer’s Disease: how aging biology could influence memory and brain health
Researchers are exploring a new brain-aging mechanism linked to telomerase, with potential to slow or modify Alzheimer’s disease in people and improve cognitive function.
-
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Clues
Researchers are testing simple sensory and movement tasks to find early signs of Alzheimer’s disease so they can diagnose and treat people sooner.
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.