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The role of positive emotions in stress-induced negative emotion regulation among older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Award Number: R03AG101174
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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The role of positive emotions in stress-induced negative emotion regulation among older adults with mild cognitive impairment - Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) significantly affect up to 80% of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), not only diminishing their quality of life but also doubling their risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Despite international guidelines advocating for interventions, there are currently no effective treatments specifically targeting these psychological and behavioral symptoms in this at-risk population. Theoretical and empirical research increasingly supports the role of both trait-like and state-like positive emotions in adapting to environmental stressors by buffering against stress and negative emotions among cognitively healthy populations. Our preliminary work with dementia caregivers who are older adults suggests that those who exhibited more stable and higher positive affect (PA) are better able to mitigate the effects of acute stress on negative mood (see Preliminary Studies). Although some evidence suggests that positive emotion regulation remains largely intact in older adults with MCI, given the neurobiological changes in this group, the extent to which positive emotions can protect this group remains unclear. To address this critical gap, we have therefore proposed a proof-of-concept study with an overall objective of exploring the role of positive emotions in stress adaptation and negative emotion regulation in older adults with MCI. Our central hypothesis is that positive emotions can buffer the impact of stressor exposure on negative emotions in MCI. This study builds upon existing literature and our preliminary work, with specific aims to (1) examine if inducing PA before an acute laboratory stressor and maintaining PA across the lab session can mitigate the link between stress-induced affect reactivity and subsequent negative mood states; (2) test this hypothesis in real-life settings using ecological momentary assessment; and (3) determine if the buffering effect of PA is associated with higher resting heart-rate variability, a physiological marker of adaptive emotion regulation capacity. To achieve these aims, we plan to recruit men and women aged 60 to 89 with MCI for a two-part study. The first part involves a controlled laboratory session where participants are randomly assigned to either a PA induction group or a no induction group. Participants will engage in a film-viewing task designed to induce a positive or neutral mood, respectively, followed by exposure to an acute mental stressor task. We will assess participants’ affect before and after the film-viewing, and measure affect reactivity to the stressful task, with continuous monitoring of heart activity throughout the lab session. The second part consists of a seven-day smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment to collect data on daily stress, mood, and affect fluctuation, providing greater ecological validity for testing our hypotheses. Achieving these aims will advance our understanding of the regulatory role of positive emotions in managing stress-related affect states along the neuropathological brain aging continuum. Confirming these hypotheses could inform novel intervention targets to enhance or prevent NPS, thereby reducing the risk of progression from MCI and ADRD.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $302,084 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Aging Research	000	1	9/16/2026	NEW	$302,084
														Subtotal = $302,084

Grand Total All Awards = $302,084

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The role of positive emotions in stress-induced negative emotion regulation among older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Award Number: R03AG101174

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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