# Cognition and neuropathology in World Trade Center-exposed FDNY, NYPD, and construction worker responders

> **NIH ALLCDC U01** · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · 2022 · $589,671

## Abstract

Abstract
World Trade Center (WTC) responders were exposed to a mix of tiny dust particles as they participated in rescue
and recovery efforts at the WTC in the aftermath of 9/11/2001. A significant number continue to suffer from Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of their experiences. These may have changed their expectations
of brain health as they age. Our team has interrogated the potential for early signs of cognitive aging and has
identified higher than expected burden of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and, surprisingly, changes to physical
functional limitations (PFL) common in both physical disability and in neurodegenerative disease. We propose
that MCI is arising early because PTSD and inhaled particulate exposures have caused a neurodegenerative
disease, resulting in increased Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. We propose to conduct a large study of
WTC-exposed Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) responders that includes cognitive functioning
profiling alongside state-of-the-art proteomic studies of blood-based biomarkers alongside a PET/MRI study of
30 medically healthy WTC responders using two well-validated positron emission tomography (PET) ligands
([11C]-PiB to measure β-amyloid, and [18F]-Flortaucipir to measure tauopathy). Detailed cognitive testing will help
to determine the level of cognitive dysfunction. Simultaneous structural MRI will be used to measure the extent
of neurodegeneration. This study is timely because we are in a critical period when neuropathology is
emerging and the etiology of the disease is still possible to determine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10459186
- **Project number:** 5U01OH012258-02
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- **Principal Investigator:** SEAN CLOUSTON
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $589,671
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10459186

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10459186, Cognition and neuropathology in World Trade Center-exposed FDNY, NYPD, and construction worker responders (5U01OH012258-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10459186. Licensed CC0.

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