Key Alzheimer's study cancelled amid Trump attacks on science
5 hours ago
- A 15-year study in Pittsburgh on aging, diet, and cognitive health in low-income Black neighborhoods was terminated early by the Trump administration, leaving participants without promised cognitive test results.
- Roderick Blair, a 70-year-old participant, initially distrusted the researchers due to past exploitation of Black people but was convinced of their sincerity and participated for over a decade, including cognitive tests.
- The study, called Phresh, evolved from a food desert project to a comprehensive analysis of life course adversity, discrimination, and brain health, revealing links between neighborhood divestment, trauma, and Alzheimer's risk.
- Black Americans face nearly double the risk of Alzheimer's dementia, but are severely underrepresented in research, with most studies skewing white and few reporting race; this study aimed to fill that gap.
- The NIH terminated over 5,700 grants in 2025-2026, labeling many as 'DEI' or unscientific, including Phresh and two related brain health studies at Pitt and Emory, despite decades of validated research on trauma's health impacts.
- The cancellation prevents cognitive 'adjudications' for 600 participants, delaying potential Alzheimer's or dementia diagnoses and treatment, which relies on early detection.
- Researchers argue the termination is politically motivated, ignoring scientific evidence and endangering public health, particularly for underserved populations; they are appealing and suing the NIH.
- The loss also affects broader research, such as blood biomarker studies, and threatens data and personnel, with field coordinator La'vette Wagner facing job uncertainty and participants left without feedback.