How stress affects memory in people at risk for Alzheimer's

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are trying to understand why some people with early memory problems are more vulnerable to stress and cognitive decline. This study invites people aged 60 and older who have mild cognitive impairment to participate in a stress test while researchers measure how their body responds and how their thinking is affected. The goal is to identify a specific group of people who might benefit from new Alzheimer's treatments in the future.

Recent Alzheimer's treatment trials have not worked well, partly because the disease affects people differently. This study addresses an important gap: while we know stress is linked to Alzheimer's risk, we haven't used this knowledge to design better treatments. By studying how people respond to acute stress, researchers hope to identify individuals who might be targeted for more effective interventions.