# Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Hospitalized for COVID-19

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $187,920

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Impaired cognition is common among survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19. However, the current lack of
knowledge regarding risk factors for and pathogenesis of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 hinders efforts
to develop treatment and prevention strategies. This administrative supplement proposal is an extension of the
existing K23 grant (5K23AG058756-01; “Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Hospital Associated Disability in Older
Adults”), which was awarded to determine the ability of sarcopenia, operationalized as muscle mass and
strength, to predict the development of functional impairment among older adults hospitalized with sepsis. In
particular, the proposed study will enhance and expand upon Dr. Andrews's ongoing cohort study focused on
sarcopenia and physical function outcomes among older adult survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19. The
proposed study will test 1) whether sarcopenia is associated with increased risk of incident cognitive
impairment (a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's-related dementias (AD/ADRD)) among older
adult survivors of hospitalization for COVID-19 (n=200), and 2) whether those with baseline cognitive
impairment (such those AD/ADRD) and sarcopenia are particularly at risk for worsened cognitive function after
COVID-19. Both patient-reported and objective measures of sarcopenia and cognitive function will be
assessed. Identification of sarcopenia as an important and potentially modifiable risk factor among older adults
for incident cognitive impairment after hospitalization for COVID-19 will advance understanding of
pathogenesis and likely facilitate development of strategies and interventions to improve cognitive outcomes
for these patients. This supplement is made in relation to NOT-AG-21-018.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10495715
- **Project number:** 3K23AG058756-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** James Andrews
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $187,920
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10495715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10495715, Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Hospitalized for COVID-19 (3K23AG058756-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10495715. Licensed CC0.

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