Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Although long-term air pollution is an established dementia risk factor, the biological basis of this association remains poorly understood. Long-term exposure to fine particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) may increase dementia risk through pathways that include inflammation, neurodegeneration and the accelerated production and deposition of amyloid-b (Ab) plaques, through accumulation of cerebrovascular disease burden, or some combination thereof. An understanding of the biological basis of the air pollution-dementia association is essential to inform future research and interventions that target underlying disease mechanisms. A mechanistic understanding of the air pollution-dementia association is essential to inform future research as well as public health and clinical interventions aimed at primary and secondary prevention. Informed by existing theory and prior research, the overarching hypothesis of this proposal is that the magnitude and duration of long-term air pollution exposure increases dementia through co-existent pathways that include increased Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and cerebrovascular disease. This proposal will leverage detailed, patient-level measures of disease biology from two ongoing prospective cohort studies. In Aims 1–3 I will use data from the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Cohort, with findings from Aims 1 compared with and validated against the Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) Cohort. In Aim 1 and 2, I will use g-computation, a novel causal inference method that flexibly models the dose-response association at varied magnitude and duration of exposure to examine how long-term PM2.5 exposure influences levels of plasma-based biomarkers of AD neuropathology and neuroinflammation (Ab42/40, pTau217, GFAP and NfL) and neuroimaging measures of neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease (hippocampal volume, global cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity volume), respectively. In Aim 3, I will use a simulation-based approach to examine whether plasma-based and neuroimaging biomarkers mediate the relation between long- term PM2.5 exposure and cognitive function. The proposed research aims to address critical gaps in the existing literature on air pollution and dementia and will be complemented by dedicated training in ADRC clinical research, selection and implementation of multimodal biomarker data for epidemiologic research, and the application of novel causal inference methods in environmental epidemiology. Collectively, the applied research and dedicated training will build upon my strong quantitative foundation as an epidemiologist prepare me for independence as a physician-scientist whose work aims to characterize the biological mechanisms linking environmental exposures with the onset and exacerbation of neurological diseases in populations with an emphasis on dementia.
Grant Summary
Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers is a NIA - National Institute on Aging grant providing up to $196K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2031-03-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Up to $196K
2031-03-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers from NIA - National Institute on Aging, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIA - National Institute on Aging before the deadline.
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Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers?
Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers is offered by NIA - National Institute on Aging and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers provide?
Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers provides up to $196K per award from NIA - National Institute on Aging. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers deadline?
Applications for Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers are due 2031-03-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIA - National Institute on Aging, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers?
To apply for Air pollution and dementia: An epidemiological approach integrating multimodal biomarkers, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIA - National Institute on Aging.