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Cognitive decline and dementia in older Kerala Americans

Award Number: R01AG084567
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2029

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Cognitive decline and dementia in older Kerala Americans - Asian Americans (including Indian Americans) comprise 6% of the U.S. population and represent the fastest growing population group. The incidence of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease is higher among racial/ethnic minorities, especially in first-generation immigrants. Immigrant populations spend a greater proportion of their later years with cognitive impairment and dementia than native born U.S. populations. Yet, there are few epidemiological and biological studies of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in immigrant populations such as Indian Americans. In this first of its kind study, we propose to clinically and biologically phenotype 400 older first-generation immigrants from the southern Indian state of Kerala residing in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) to better understand risk and protection against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in this fast-growing U.S. population segment. We also have an unique opportunity to compare Kerala American first-generation immigrants with a native Kerala based cohort of 800 older adults in our NIH funded Kerala-Einstein study. This cross-national study of a single racial/ethnic group from Kerala in native and immigrant settings using the same protocols will reduce variability and enhance discovery of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia mechanisms. We hypothesize that immigration related sociocultural factors in older Kerala Americans will influence biological/vascular aging, which in turn will impact cognition. Aim 1: Determine role of immigrant/cultural factors and social relationships (networks and support) that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia risk in older Kerala Americans. Immigrant/cultural factors include age at migration, residency duration, migration reasons, sex, education, acculturation, etc. Primary outcome is global cognition (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination: ACE). Secondary outcomes include individual cognitive domains, mood (depressive symptoms, anxiety) and quality of life. To address the ‘healthy migrant’ effect, we will examine coping and resilience mechanisms that may help preserve cognition. Aim 2: Determine the contribution of immigrant/cultural factors and social relationships to biological aging in older Kerala Americans. Biological aging is quantified using epigenetic clocks. Aim 3: Determine the impact of immigrant/cultural factors and social relationships on vascular aging in older Kerala Americans. Outcomes include cardiovascular (BP/ electrocardiogram) and cerebrovascular disease indices (MRI small vessel disease). We will compare U.S. and Kerala cohorts on vascular aging. Our proposal is very responsive to NOT-HL-23-001, which seek applications to understand health in Asian Americans. Studying Kerala Americans can provide insights into risk and protection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in other immigrant groups with high prevalence of cardiovascular disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $753,864 )
2025	2025	THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	W5510 FRANKS MELVILLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY	STONY BROOK	NY	11794	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	002	3	7/25/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$753,864
2025	2025	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Aging Research	001	2	7/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$753,864
2025	2025	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Aging Research	000	2	3/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$753,864
														Subtotal = $753,864

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $855,415 )
2024	2024	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Aging Research	000	1	4/30/2024	NEW	$855,415
														Subtotal = $855,415

Grand Total All Awards = $1,609,279

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Cognitive decline and dementia in older Kerala Americans

Award Number: R01AG084567

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2029

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