What predicts moving from normal thinking to dementia in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Official title: Predictors of transitions to cognitive impairment and dementia across the cognitive status trajectory
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11340686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Michigan looks at how different factors over time relate to changes in thinking and memory in people at risk for or with Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $567,557 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG100051-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who have or are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and are willing to participate in long-term follow-up and biomarker assessments.
✕Less likely to help
People without risk factors for AD/ADRD or those not undergoing follow-up assessments may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project follows adults over time to see how age, health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and smoking relate to shifts in cognitive status—from normal thinking to mild cognitive impairment to dementia. It will also explore how biomarkers might help predict future cognitive changes. By using time-varying risk factors and considering competing health risks, researchers aim to create more accurate projections and identify potential moments for intervention. The work is designed to translate complex data into practical insights for delaying or preventing decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help doctors tailor prevention and treatment strategies to individuals at various stages of cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that multiple interrelated risk factors influence cognitive trajectories, but this study aims to disentangle their time-varying effects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brouwer, Andrew Frederick — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Brouwer, Andrew Frederick
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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.