Research Participation
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Aging (NIH)
The federal government's lead agency for aging and dementia research, publishing free, evidence-based education and connecting the public to clinical trials.
Who it's for
Families who want government-vetted, evidence-based information, and anyone interested in participating in or learning about Alzheimer's and dementia research studies.
When to use this
When you want a source of information with no commercial or advocacy angle -- just federally funded research translated into plain language -- or when you're considering joining a clinical trial.
Why MemoryPath recommends this
As part of the National Institutes of Health, NIA funds a large share of dementia research conducted in the United States and publishes its findings directly, without the interpretation layer of a news outlet.
Services provided
- Free publications and web guidance on dementia diagnosis, care, and research
- Alzheimers.gov -- a federal portal connecting families to national resources
- A searchable clinical trial and study matching service
- ADEAR (Alzheimer's and related Dementias Education and Referral) Center information line
What NIA actually does
NIA funds and conducts research into aging and Alzheimer's disease, then translates that research into free, plain-language guidance for the public through its own site and Alzheimers.gov. Several of MemoryPath's own Learn articles draw directly on NIA's published guidance.
Clinical trials and studies
NIA maintains a public tool to search for actively enrolling Alzheimer's and dementia studies by location and condition -- a direct path for families interested in contributing to research or accessing emerging treatments through a study.
A note on scope
NIA is a research and information agency, not a treatment provider -- it doesn't see patients directly, but it's an authoritative starting point for understanding a diagnosis or exploring research participation.