# EEG Signatures of ICU Delirium and Post-ICU ADRD

> **NIH NIH K23** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $185,436

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
 This proposal is for a mentored patient-oriented research career development award for Dr. Shawniqua
Williams Roberson, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Bioengineering at Vanderbilt University Medical
Center. Dr. Williams Roberson's long-term goal is to establish an independent research career using EEG
signal processing techniques to study the neurobiology and neurophysiological indicators of ICU delirium and
post-ICU cognitive impairment and dementia, a potentially devastating disorder recognized and funded under
the Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) for which older adults are at highest risk. To
accomplish this, her objectives during the period of this award are: (1) to develop expertise in the design and
implementation of patient-oriented clinical research studies in ICU delirium and post-ICU dementia; (2) to gain
experience in the assessment of cognitive function as an outcome measure; and (3) to develop the scientific
communication, grant writing and leadership skills to support a successful career as an independent
researcher. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that there are objective EEG-based signatures of ICU
delirium that predict patterns of post-ICU cognitive impairment and dementia. The specific aims are (1) to
characterize quantitatively the resting-state EEG signatures associated with ICU delirium in older adults and
(2) to determine the relationship between EEG signatures during recovery from critical illness and post-ICU
cognitive performance in this population. The proposed studies will yield critical information to advance our
understanding of the neurobiology underlying delirium and its evolution to post-ICU ADRD by informing
development of a novel delirium monitoring tool for the ICU and identifying EEG predictors of ADRD in
survivors. The results will be used to inform a subsequent R01 validating an EEG-based index of ICU delirium
and a prediction model for post-ICU ADRD. The project will be conducted in the Critical Illness, Brain
Dysfunction and Survivorship (CIBS) Center and will allow the PI to capitalize on guidance from a world-class
mentoring team. Dr. E. Wesley Ely, a renowned expert in clinical research in aging and critical care populations
will be primary mentor and supervise the clinical research methodology. Dr. James C. Jackson, a world leader
in neurocognitive outcomes research, will guide the conduct, analysis and interpretation of cognitive
assessments. Dr. Mayur Patel, PI of multiple ongoing NIH-funded studies investigating long-term outcomes
after critical care, will oversee professional development in scientific communication, grant writing and
leadership. This project will thus provide a platform for Dr. Williams Roberson to establish preliminary data and
clinical research skills to launch an independent research career at the intersection of critical illness, cognitive
neuroscience, engineering and clinical neurophysiology, where she is uniquely po...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10192328
- **Project number:** 1K23AG072030-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Shawniqua Williams Roberson
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $185,436
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-15 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10192328

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10192328, EEG Signatures of ICU Delirium and Post-ICU ADRD (1K23AG072030-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10192328. Licensed CC0.

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