# Social Isolation, Loneliness and Dementia Among Middle and Old Age Black Men

> **NIH NIH K02** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $88,898

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is prevalent in approximately 6 million
people and is the 6th leading cause of death among adults in the United States. The burden of
ADRD is not equally distributed across populations as rates among Blacks are two to three
times greater than their White peers. Black males are disproportionately represented among
those with ADRD, however, they few studies have exclusively focused on this population. The
maintenance of accessible and supportive social networks during middle and older ages are
influenced by personality trait and has been shown to be a protective factor for cognitive decline
and onset of ADRD. The Caciappo Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness posits that beneficial
social interactions and reliable social relationships can contribute to the longevity of life,
reproduction and genetic legacy. This theory leverages the work of Weiss that conceptualizes
loneliness as perceived isolation that is a “gnawing, chronic disease without redeeming
features”. This project seeks to examine how personality trait, social isolation and loneliness
impact dementia onset among middle to older age Black males. The aims for the proposed
supplement are to: 1) Investigate the independent association of social isolation and loneliness
on dementia among middle and old age Black men; and 2) Examine the impact of the 5-factor
model personality traits (e.g. extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness and
conscientiousness) on the associations between social isolation, loneliness and dementia
among middle and old age Black men.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10285198
- **Project number:** 3K02AG059140-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ROLAND J. THORPE
- **Activity code:** K02 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $88,898
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10285198

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10285198, Social Isolation, Loneliness and Dementia Among Middle and Old Age Black Men (3K02AG059140-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10285198. Licensed CC0.

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